ExCel Exhibition Centre has become an accredited real Living Wage employer as Royal Docks launches a major campaign to become a Living Wage Place – a place where all businesses pay their staff the real Living Wage as an absolute minimum.

The real Living Wage is a voluntary scheme based on the true cost of living. It is reviewed regularly by the Living Wage Commission. The current London real Living Wage is £11.05 per hour. Compare this to the statutory National Living Wage that starts at £6.83 for 18-year-olds.

Newham Council and local businesses who attended the launch agreed that accreditation is the way forward in order to improve the lives of low-paid workers.

David Miles, the Chief Financial Officer of ExCel, said the commitment of his organisation to pay decent wages is a continuation of the good they do locally. Gerald Mason of Tate and Lyle Sugars said that over the next three years, a coalition of accredited employers in Royal Docks will aim to increase the number of organisations paying the real Living Wage by 50 per cent, securing a pay rise for thousands of employees.

Also present were Caroline Verdant, a campaigner and teacher, whose employer, St Antony’s Catholic Primary School, supported by Newham Citizens (Citizens UK), famously persuaded London City Airport to pay its staff the London Living Wage. The pupils kicked off the event with a rendition of ‘Reach out and Touch’ by Diana Ross.

Mathew Sheehan from Enabled Living said that the effect of the pandemic on low-paid workers was an eye-opener. Over half of their staff are based in Newham, and they are extending the Living Wage to apprentices this year.

Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz said that Newham Council is already an accredited employer and promoting fair wages is part of the transformation going on in the Borough.

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