Living Wage For Highland Council Employees By April 2013

2nd October 2012

The lowest paid employees of The Highland Council will benefit from the introduction of a £7.20 an hour wage from April next year. The national UK minimum wage from 1st October is £6.16 per hour (see below for details of age rules and amounts)

Members of the Council's Finance, Housing and Resources Committee today agreed to introduce the Scottish Living Wage by applying a living wage supplement to all employees currently paid less than £7.20 per hour to bring them up to £7.20 per hour from 1 April 2013.

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry said: "This early delivery of a Programme commitment is great news for the Highlands. I am extremely pleased to announce the Highland Council apprentices will be included in our living wage proposals. This shows a commitment to young people in the Highlands in providing the right start for them."

Councillor Dave Fallows, Chairman of The Highland Council's Finance, Housing and Resources Committee welcomed the move towards the introduction of a living wage for all council employees, he said: "The living wage is a clear commitment in the Programme for The Highland Council. By introducing a living wage of £7.20 per hour, we are not only helping our lowest paid workers but we also improving the economy of the Highlands by increasing the income of those who live and work in the area."

Highland Council Youth Convener, John Erskine congratulated the Council on its swift implementation of its manifesto commitment, he said: "I'm delighted to see that Highland Council has backed the living wage for all employees regardless of age and to see that this commitment will include apprentices. I think it shows the council and its Administration are in touch with the issues and concerns of young people who are typically at the lower end of the pay scale and will benefit greatly from this change. Today was a great first step forward to ensure better pay and wages for all in the Highlands."

Members also agreed that the living wage supplement will be subject to annual review by the Council; and that the Council will begin formal consultation with the trade unions on proposals to introduce monthly pay for all employees.

The introduction of the living wage will benefit over 600 Council staff, 90% of whom are female as well as an estimated 15 apprentices in Housing and Property, and TEC Services.

The cost of introducing the living wage for the Council is estimated at £322k per annum. This includes pension and National Insurance costs.

The new Living Wage for the lowest paid Highland Council employees will be just over £1 per hour more than the national UK minimum wage.

Minimum Wage In UK From 1 October 2012
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most workers in the UK are entitled to be paid. The rate depends on age and whether the worker is an apprentice.

New rates from October 2012
The new rates will come into force on 1 October 2012, as follows:
£6.19 per hour for workers aged 21 and over - a rise of 11p
£4.98 per hour for 18-20 year olds - no change
£3.68 per hour for workers above school leaving age but under 18 - no change
£2.65 per hour for apprentices - a rise of 5p

Pay and Work Rights Helpline contact details
For confidential help and advice about the NMW, call 0800 917 2368

For more information on national minimum wages see -
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_201426