We’re a Living Wage Employer

We have been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. The Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Borders Community Action receive a minimum hourly wage of £10.90 per hour. This Living Wage rate was announced in September last year. and is higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £10.42 per hour.

In Scotland, 9% of all jobs pay less than the real Living Wage – around 221,000 jobs. Despite this, we have 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.

Our Chief Executive, Juliana, said: “The real living wage scheme is crucial for our society. It ensures that our hardworking individuals and families are not just surviving but thriving. By signing up to the scheme, we are sending a powerful message that we value and respect the dignity of every individual, and it emphasises our commitment to a fair and just society for all.”

Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 450,000 people and put over £2 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.]
Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said: “We all need an income that is enough to cover our needs and protect us from poverty, and it’s only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living. Too many workers in Scotland are paid less than the real Living Wage and, at a time of rising costs, are struggling to stay afloat. The real Living Wage can offer protection from those rising costs.Congratulations to Borders Community Action on their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”