One of the UK’s largest social landlords in the UK has formally embraced the real Living Wage with a commitment to only work with supply chain partners that do the same.
L&Q says it has been paying the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended rates to all its directly employed staff for the last 10 years.
But now, as part of its formal accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, the organisation has committed – from April 2028 – to only work with suppliers and contractors that also pay the real Living Wage.
Tom Nicholls, L&Q’s executive group director for human resources, said: “We’re proud that L&Q has joined the Living Wage movement. As a not-for-profit organisation, social purpose is at the heart of everything we do – from providing quality, affordable homes to creating lasting positive change in the communities we serve.
“Our commitment to the real Living Wage extends beyond our colleagues. By working with our supply chain to ensure fair pay which meets the cost of living, we can help tackle in-work poverty and boost local economies across Greater London and Greater Manchester.”
The Living Wage Foundation’s real Living Wage remains the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on the cost of living, rising annually based on living costs. It applies to all workers over 18 – in recognition that young people face the same living costs as everyone else.
The rates are calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence on living standards in the UK and in London.
As a result of this commitment, everyone working for L&Q will receive a minimum hourly wage of £12.60 in the UK or £13.85 in London. Both rates are higher than the government minimum for over 21s, which currently stands at £12.21 per hour.
L&Q houses 250,000 people, primarily across Greater London and Greater Manchester. The housing association spends over £1.2bn annually through its supply chain, covering construction, property services and corporate functions.
By becoming accredited, the organisation joins over 16,000 such employers who have secured over £3.85bn of pay rises for low paid workers since 2011.
Katherine Chapman, director, Living Wage Foundation, said: “We’re delighted that L&Q has joined the movement of over 16,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.
“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like L&Q, believe that everyone needs to be able to live with dignity and have a decent standard of living.”
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