This Living Wage Week, St Andrew’s Hospice is celebrating becoming an accredited Living Wage employer.

Our Living Wage commitment sees everyone working at St Andrew’s Hospice, including regular workers employed through third-party suppliers, receive the real Living Wage. This rate is higher than the government minimum.

Karen Donnelly, Head of People for the organisation said: “We have an amazing team of employees at St Andrew’s Hospice. Their commitment and dedication along with being highly skilled is vital to ensuring the Hospice can continue to provide exceptional care to patients and families across Lanarkshire.  Our commitment to the Living Wage reflects our acknowledgement and appreciation for this hard work.

Annemarie Ross, HR Assistant at St Andrew’s Hospice said: “By providing a real Living Wage, I feel the Hospice is demonstrating recognition, support and commitment to us as employees.

“This benefits everyone: it helps to give staff dignity; gives financial reward to staff who are working hard in all sectors, both onsite and offsite; I feel this results in every employee being valued as we support the Hospice to provide the great care that it does.”

In Scotland, 88.6% of all jobs pay at least the real Living Wage, this is higher than any other UK nation. Yet the number of jobs paid below the real Living Wage has increased in recent years and now, over 1 in 10 jobs in Scotland pay less than the real Living Wage which equates to 288,000 jobs.

The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay.

Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered pay rises to over 72,000 people in Scotland and put over £680 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.

Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said: “We’re delighted to welcome St Andrew’s Hospice to our growing network of accredited Living Wage employers. Their commitment sends a powerful message – that fair pay leads to a happier, healthier and more motivated workforce.

“Our Living Wage network includes employers from across all sectors and industries, and we hope to see many more join St Andrew’s Hospice in going further than the minimum.”