PR and marketing consultancy, Ketchum recently became accredited and have helped us reach 400 employers who now pay their employees the London Living Wage.
This significant achievement means that 7,000 workers in the borough have benefitted from pay rises onto the London Living Wage, ensuring they receive a fair wage that reflects the cost of living in the capital.
The London Living Wage is currently set at £13.85 per hour, providing full-time workers with an additional £4,500 per year compared to the national minimum wage of £11.44 per hour.
Southwark’s drive to make fair pay the norm has seen 105 new accreditations in 2024 alone, with notable organisations such as Shakespeare’s Globe, the Imperial War Museum, Southwark Law Centre, and Bankside Open Spaces Trust joining the movement. Over the past year, 1,964 local workers have received a well-earned pay rise to the London Living Wage.
Cllr John Batteson, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business, said:
“This is a fantastic milestone for Southwark. Our borough is home to some of the most dedicated and forward-thinking employers who recognise that fair pay is not just good for workers, but also for business and the local economy. With over 400 accredited Living Wage Employers and counting, we are setting the standard for fair employment practices across London. We encourage more businesses to join us in ensuring that workers are paid fairly for the vital work they do.”
Janita Lakhanpal, Director and Inclusion Chair, Ketchum PR:
"Becoming a Living Wage Employer is a natural step in our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable workplace. At Ketchum, we believe progress starts with people - and fair pay is a fundamental building block in creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our Living Wage accreditation reflects the value we place on every member of our team and reinforces our belief that meaningful inclusion means meeting real-world needs. It's about action, not just intention and this is one way we're putting our values into practice."
Kishanth Yogan, Kickstart Intern, Ketchum PR
"As a recent graduate working as an intern at Ketchum, being paid the London Living Wage has been a considerable benefit. It enables me to effectively manage my expenses , save a portion of my income and contribute towards supporting my parents - alleviating some of their financial stress. Witnessing Ketchum's commitment to equality and fairness, this gives me a peace of mind to fully focus on learning and growing in my role, as well as contributing to the team.”
Southwark’s success in this area is also linked to the Southwark 2030 strategy, which sets out a long-term vision for a fairer and more prosperous borough.
To further build on this momentum, Southwark has:
- Commissioned research in partnership with King’s College London, which is now actively engaging newly accredited employers.
- Expanded engagement with local stakeholders, including Borough Market, where over 35 accredited businesses now trade.
- Launched a grant scheme that has supported 65 employers to date.
- Focused efforts on the creative sector and built environment, leading to an increase in accreditations.
Southwark’s achievements have placed it among the top three boroughs in London for Living Wage accreditations, climbing from 5th place in August 2023 to third place by December 2024.
Southwark Council is calling on more local businesses to join the hundreds already accredited. Becoming a Living Wage Employer means committing to paying directly employed staff the real Living Wage and ensuring that contracted workers receive the same fair wage.
For more information on how to become accredited, visit https://bit.ly/SouthwarkLivingWage.
