This week is Living Wage Week, and to celebrate the Living Wage Foundation's announcement that the new rate for 2016/17 is £8.45 per hour, Leeds Church Institute hosted a lunch.
Dr Helen Reid, Director of LCI, said, "LCI is an accredited Living Wage Employer and, supported by Bishop Paul Slater and Leeds Citizens, we recently conducted a survey of churches to gain a better understanding of the current situation of churches as employers.
"The highlight of the lunch was when the Revd Lindsey Pearson signed up St Mary’s Beeston to be an accredited Living Wage Employer." (Pictured left with Bishop Paul Slater and Tom Chigbo of Leeds Citizens).
Lindsey said, “We may only employ a couple of people on a part time basis, but it's important that we pay the Living Wage. Being accredited is important too – it's our chance to go public and encourage other churches to consider being accredited Living Wage employers.”
The Living Wage is a voluntary hourly pay rate related to the basic cost of living and is increased annually. It's promoted as being ethical and good for individuals, employers and society.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, Chair of the Living Wage Commission, said: “Working, and still living in poverty, is a national scandal. For the first time, the majority of people in poverty in the UK are now in working households. The campaign for a Living Wage has been a beacon of hope for the millions of workers on low wages struggling to make ends meet.”