New College Durham (NCD) has been officially accredited as a Living Wage Employer, reinforcing its commitment to its more than 600 staff both directly employed and subcontracted. NCD is leading the way in joining the movement to tackle low pay in County Durham and is the third largest employer in County Durham to gain Living Wage accreditation.
The real Living Wage, unlike the government’s minimum wage, is independently calculated based on the actual cost of living. Since 2011, the Living Wage movement has delivered over £3.5 billion in additional wages to low-paid workers across the UK, helping to reduce in-work poverty and improve financial security for thousands of families.
Elaine Bonham, Executive Director of HR and Corporate Services at New College Durham, said:
“Fairness and transparency are at the heart of our commitment to our staff, and I urge other local employers across the region to join us in taking similar steps to address in-work poverty. The college recognise that the impact of poverty goes beyond the staff member and impacts on their families. The college was keen adopt the real Living Wage, given its alignment to our core values and supports our wider aspiration to be an employer of first choice in County Durham.”
Across the UK, too many working families continue to struggle to afford the basics, whilst North East communities suffer from some of the highest rates of child poverty:
· 63% of children and working-age adults in poverty in 2022/23 lived in families where at least one adult was working part-time or more, up from 56% in 2012/13 and 44% in 1996/97*
· 17% of children and working-age adults in poverty in 2022/23 lived in families where all adults were working and at least one adult was working full time (referred to here as high work intensity families), which is up from 13% in 2012/13 and 9% in 1996/97*
* Source: Health Foundation analysis of DWP data (1996-2023).
David Van der Velde, Programme Manager at the Living Wage Foundation, added:
"New College Durham’s commitment to the real Living Wage is a significant step in tackling in-work poverty and setting a strong example for employers across the North East. With child poverty rates remaining high in the region, fair pay is essential, not just for workers, but for their families, communities, and the local economy.
There is still a long way to go in addressing low pay but Living Wage employers are leading the way. Paying the real Living Wage isn’t just the right thing to do, it strengthens businesses, boosts the local economy, and creates more resilient communities. We applaud New College Durham and all accredited employers for their leadership in championing fair pay."