- Arts and culture is normally a low paying sector with 1 in 5 jobs below the London Living Wage
- Southwark is bucking this trend with a growing number of theatres and other venues becoming accredited London Living Wage employers, including Theatre Peckham and Shakespeare’s Globe
- Complete Southwark Council’s Living Wage survey for businesses and be in with a chance to win a £150 voucher from Bermondsey based catering company Grazing
- Apply to become a new London Living Wage employer at www.livingwage.org.uk
This Living Wage week (4-10 November), Southwark Council is giving the spotlight to the borough’s theatres and other cultural venues, who are doing their bit to fight in-work poverty.
In the last year alone, with support from the council’s Living Wage Unit, the following organisations have become accredited London Living Wage employers:
Blue Elephant Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Method Events, Candoco Dance Company, London Bubble Theatre, Imperial War Museum, Tate Modern, Theatre Peckham, Staffordshire Street CIC, PRS, Peckham Platform, and Intoart.
They join the ranks of over 390 accredited Living Wage employers in Southwark, whose commitment to fair pay has resulted in over 6,600 Southwark workers benefitting from a pay rise.
At £13.85 per hour, the London Living Wage is the only wage rate that accounts for the cost of living in London. It amounts to an extra £4,700 a year when compared to national minimum wage for low-paid workers, many of whom work in the arts and culture sector.
Cllr John Batteson, cabinet member for climate emergency, jobs and business, said: “Southwark’s arts and culture sector is known internationally for its vibrancy and diversity, with deep roots into communities and our borough’s history. But behind the scenes, too many people are out of pocket in an industry known for being low paying. Theatre Peckham is among the amazing arts and culture venues working with us to turn this around. Together, we are proud to be uplifting thousands of people out of in-work poverty, while building a fairer, more inclusive local economy.”
Suzann McLean, CEO and artistic director of Theatre Peckham, MBE: “We’re living in a society right now where the cost of living in London is rising. I think it’s so important for us to be a payer of the London Living Wage so we can match people’s ambitions to live and work in London, and remain here. It also means we can really engage our local and hyper-local community in the work that we do here in Theatre Peckham.”
Lia Blomberg, finance assistant at Theatre Peckham, said: “Before working at Theatre Peckham, I had spent all my savings on graduate school and moving countries. After graduation, I was working seven days a week, doing a lot of unpaid work to gain experience in the industry. It was really unstainable. In the theatre industry especially, because it’s so competitive and so many people want to gain experience, a lot of opportunities are unpaid or underpaid.
“Since working at Theatre Peckham, I’m able to know that I can pay rent every month and cover my bills. I’m even able to have a holiday once in a while. It makes me a better employee; I’m more relaxed because I’m well taken care of, and I can bring that into the office. It’s especially important for us as an organisation to show the young people that we work with that the arts are a viable career path and not something they’ll have to dispose of in order to make a living later in life.”
Marissa McKinnon, venue manager at Theatre Peckham, said: “The cost of living has definitely impacted the way that I purchase certain things. I need to think before I buy. I need to constantly check my account to make sure I have enough, because even though certain things may seem like a small purchase, it all adds up. The London Living Wage is important because it allows you to cover basic expenses. You feel less stressed and a little more comfortable with what you’re purchasing.
“I’m proud to work for a London Living Wage employer like Theatre Peckham. It allows all of us to have a bit more financial security. Theatre Peckham promotes the local community and their employees within the community. It’s a great place to work and visit – please do check out our café, our shows and our academy for young people!”
Newly accredited Living Wage Employers with 250 employees or less in Southwark can get their sign up fees covered by Southwark Council. For more information, contact SouthwarkBusinessDesk@southwark.gov.uk
Complete Southwark Council’s Living Wage survey for businesses and be in with a chance to win a £150 voucher from Bermondsey based catering company Grazing
Apply to become a new London Living Wage employer at www.livingwage.org.uk