How the Living Wage impacts Brighton businesses

Hannah Jackson, Marketing and Engagement Manager at Brighton Chamber, shares some of the key findings from a recent survey of local Brighton & Hove Living Wage employers to find out why they signed up to the campaign, and what they think the impact is on businesses in Brighton.

Brighton Chamber has run the local Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign since 2012 – and, as far as we know, it’s the only business-led Living Wage Campaign in the UK. From our first employer, Brighton & Hove Buses, to today, the campaign now has over 900 businesses signed up and has raised the salaries of nearly 5,000 people across our city.

We recently asked our Living Wage employers to share why they signed up to the campaign and how they think it’s impacted their business and the wider economy of Brighton & Hove. Here’s what they had to say…

But first, what is the Living Wage?

Different from the national minimum wage, which is set annually by the government, the Living Wage is independently calculated, based on the amount a person needs to live to a reasonable standard.

The current Living Wage is £12 per hour – or £23,400 per annum (based on a 37.5 hour week). People often think that the Living Wage just applies to staff who are paid hourly, but it’s for salaried staff too!

Who’s part of the campaign?

We think that the businesses signed up to the Living Wage Campaign are part of a values and people-led community that is making Brighton a great place to work and do business.

From hospitality and retail, construction and property, PR and marketing, to education and healthcare – a whole range of diverse businesses and sectors are represented across the campaign.

Is it important for our city?

80% of businesses surveyed this year strongly agree that the Living Wage Campaign is important for Brighton as a city, and more than two-thirds of businesses would consider whether a business was a Living Wage employer before taking them on as a supplier or collaborator.

Brighton prides itself as a progressive and entrepreneurial city, and the impact of businesses paying the Living Wage goes back into the city’s wider economy.

Is it important for business?

73% of all businesses signed up see paying the Living Wage as important for their employer brand – with 80% agreeing that being part of the campaign helps with recruitment and attracting talent.

We also found that more than half of the businesses signed up to the campaign thought that it helped make their teams more diverse and inclusive, helping to make jobs more accessible.

What are some of the challenges facing businesses right now?

Paying the Living Wage is a challenge for some businesses – particularly those with smaller profits and high wage costs. But employers are aware that getting the Living Wage as a minimum is essential for their staff because of the cost of property, rents and living in Brighton.

If your business isn’t sure whether they’re able to pay the Living Wage, we’d always recommend chatting to others in your sector to find out how they’re doing it (we can put you in touch).

So, could you help us reach our next milestone of 1,000 businesses in Brighton and beyond paying their teams the Living Wage?

The more businesses that sign up to the campaign, the wider our reach and bigger the campaign. It’s free to sign up and join more than 900 businesses working to make our city a great place to live and do business. Head to: livingwagebrighton.co.uk

With special thanks to Bonamy Waddell from Bon Insight for survey analysis, and to Franki Martelli from FDM Design for infographics.

The Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign is run by Brighton Chamber, an inclusive and welcoming membership organisation supporting businesses of all sizes to meet, learn and grow. Find out more about Brighton Chamber at brightonchamber.co.uk.

The Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign is supported by UNISON and Brighton & Hove City Council.