Cornwall becomes first Real Living Wage 'region' in the UK
Research estimates 60,000 workers in Cornwall were paid less than the real living wage last year
Last updated 14th Feb 2025
Cornwall has become the first 'region' in the UK to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.
Last year, research estimated 60,000 workers in Cornwall were paid less than the real living wage - including 20% male part time workers and 40% female part time workers.
According to the Living Wage Foundation, the real living wage is £12.60 in Cornwall and the UK, and £13.85 in London.
The rate is based on the cost of living and is voluntarily paid by over 15,000 UK businesses.
As of April 1 2024, the National Living Wage, which is legally required for businesses to pay workers aged 21 or over, is £11.44 per hour.
Simon Fann, Truro Foodbank, said: "At the start of 2023, I became aware at Truro Foodbank that we were having an influx of people who had jobs but were in food poverty. They were being paid the bare minimum employers could get away with."
There are currently 17 other accredited Living Wage places across the UK including cities such as Newcastle, Cardiff, Bristol. Following positive results elsewhere, an action group was formed to promote the idea of fairer pay for staff in Cornwall.
Simon added: "30% of people accessing Truro Foodbank have at least one family member in work. That's not right.
"The South West is the worst region for insecure work contracts. We were determined to do something about it."
Helen Wylde, Chief Executive Officer of Wildanet, Real Living Wage Employer, said: "If we can get the jobs down here, we can drive up the wages and our children don't need to leave the county."
Emma Stratton, Red Hotels Group, Real Living Wage Employer, said: "It's putting money where your mouth is and I think it'll bring real success for businesses in Cornwall. I really think we can survive, I think this really gives us help for the future."
The group is supported by businesses such as Wildanet, Mother Ivey’s Holiday Park, Cornish Gems, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum and Coastline Housing. There is no compulsion for businesses to sign up with the Living Wage Foundation but accredited companies have joined out of interest in their staff’s wellbeing.
In the last 18 months of awareness raising, the number of accredited companies in Cornwall has grown from 113 to over 300 with over 15,000 workers now guaranteed to receive the real living wage.