Then you may wish to take advantage of a discount scheme which means that employers who are based in Lanarkshire can receive up to 50% off the fee for becoming accredited.

The real Living Wage is currently £9.50 per hour throughout the UK (£10.85 in London) and full details on accreditation can be found online at www.livingwage.org.uk/accredited-living-wage-employers 

There are now over 1,900 accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland, with more than 400 of these employers joining the movement since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Councillor Paul Kelly, Depute Leader of North Lanarkshire Council said: “Being recognised as a Living Wage accredited employer sends out a really positive message about your business and how you treat your workers.

“These businesses recognise that the Living Wage accreditation is the mark of a responsible employer with a real commitment to their workers.

“As we move closer to returning to normality, we believe employers joining the Living Wage movement is a great way to help with the economic recovery and create the caring and compassionate society we all want see. 

“Being a proud Living Wage accredited employer is one of the clearest messages any business can send about its organisation’s values.”

Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager, said: “The real Living Wage is one of the key tools at our disposal to help make an impact on levels of in-work poverty in Scotland.

“There is a strong business case for paying the real Living Wage; but crucially it allows those in work to become more included in society, better provide for their families, and feel that their value and hard work is recognised by their employer.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership once again with North and South Lanarkshire Councils to offer employers based within Lanarkshire a discounted rate for their first year of Living Wage accreditation.” 

Employers have told Living Wage Scotland they have seen the following benefits from accreditation: 

• Enhanced productivity. 
• Reduced absenteeism. 
• Increased applications for vacancies. 
• Increased staff morale.
• Better differentiation from others in their industry. 

The Lanarkshire discount scheme is open to employers headquartered within Lanarkshire who will have at least one worker receiving an uplift to the real Living Wage.