Making the North East a living wage region is a “moral imperative” according to mayor Kim McGuinness, who has called on employers to tackle child poverty and low pay.
McGuinness was speaking in North Shields at a Living Wage Week event, where she welcomed the new rates that will provide 9,500 low paid workers a pay rise by next May.
Leading by example
Some organisations should lead by example, according to the mayor, and pay the living wage. These include:
- Public sector employers
- Schools
- Colleges
McGuinness is aiming to build on the work already done by Sunderland City Council and Newcastle City Council in advocating for the living wage.
The drive comes ahead of a child poverty summit this month convened by Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority, which is expected to bring together everyone from employers and education institutions all the way to housing providers and healthcare professionals.
Moral imperative
“Put simply, there is a moral imperative to make the North East a living wage region,” said Kim McGuinness. “Obviously the Combined Authority I lead is fully behind the Living Wage goal. We pay the Living Wage, our new organisation will be accredited as such, and we work with our providers as much as possible to encourage them to as well.”
Despite progress in recent years, local leaders still believe the North East is lagging behind other parts of the country when it comes to the living wage – there are just over 300 accredited living wage employers in the region.
McGuinness added: “The public sector obviously has a role to play in setting an example. That’s why I’m proud to back the call for our region’s schools and colleges to sign up to the Living Wage campaign.
“When we set out to end child poverty, we can’t overlook the support staff, the cleaners and those who serve our children's dinners all play a role in providing the educational spaces that create opportunity.”
Image credits: iStock & North East Combined Authority
