The Larder wins Newcomer of the Year Award at Living Wage Scotland Awards

On 19th November The Larder were awarded the Newcomer of the Year Award for 2021 at the Living Wage Scotland Awards. This category was open to employers who became accredited since December 2019 and recognises an employer who has done something that stands out to celebrate their accreditation, who has promoted the real Living Wage or has contributed in other ways to support the movement. 

The Larder’s Living Wage commitment sees everyone receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.90 in the UK or £11.05 in London. Both rates are significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour.

As part of their Living Wage commitment, all staff at The Larder received a wage increase, which averaged 16% across the organisation. With almost a third of The Larder’s staff being young people and adults with multiple and complex barriers, it is important that these individuals receive a fair wage to support them in their life journey and beyond.

The judging panel were impressed by the range of actions which The Larder had undertaken to promote their accreditation, including producing a video, gaining pick up on a press release and encouraging other employers to gain accreditation.

In Scotland, more than 15% of all jobs pay less than the real Living Wage - around 350,000 jobs. Despite this The Larder has committed to pay the real Living Wage and deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work.

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 a pay rise to over 52,000 people in Scotland and put over £310 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.

Angela Moohan, CEO, The Larder said: “Implementing the Living Wage has been an aspiration of our organisation for many years. We are extremely proud to have joined the Living Wage movement and are delighted to share our journey with others. We encourage our fellow employers to do the same to help create more dignified, supportive and respectful places to work across Scotland.”

Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said: "Too many workers in Scotland are in the grip of poverty and employers choosing to pay at least the real Living Wage can loosen that grip. Payment of the real Living Wage allows those in work to become more included in society, better meet their everyday needs, and feel that their value and hard work is recognised by their employer. Congratulations to The Larder on winning this award to mark their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited."

Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said: “We’re delighted that The Larder has won our Newcomer of the Year Award for 2021. The judging panel were very impressed by the range of actions which The Larder had undertaken to promote their accreditation and to encourage other employers to commit to paying the real Living Wage. Congratulations to all at The Larder on this fantastic achievement.”

To find out more about our services, you can head to our social media pages @LarderTraining, for more information on the real Living Wage, head to https://scottishlivingwage.org/