Living Wage commitment gives comfort to pandemic heroes

Star Academies is celebrating our second year as an accredited Living Wage employer.

The Living Wage commitment has meant that employees and contractors working at the Trust receive an income that meets their living costs. This commitment has gained even greater importance during the turbulent times of the pandemic and beyond.

Staff working at Star Academies and in its 29 primary and secondary schools receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.30 (£10.75 in London). This is significantly higher than the government’s minimum wage for over 25s, which currently stands at £8.72 per hour.

As a result, the Trust spends an additional £160,000 per year to meet the cost of paying a Living Wage to 230 employees and externally supplied contractors. This means that, on average, each Living Wage earner is £700 a year better off than if they were paid the minimum wage.

For hardworking mum of three, Yasmin Patel, who has worked as a cleaner for Star Academies for two years, the commitment to the Living Wage has been a lifeline during difficult times. She said:

“I’m a single mum so my ability to earn enough money to pay my bills and run my home is really important. I’m used to juggling different jobs to keep everything running. Star’s support through the Living Wage scheme and by paying me a regular income throughout the pandemic, has made a real difference to me. I work really hard and have been proud to play my part in helping to keep schools and offices safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve also been helping to pack and deliver food parcels to local residents as part of Star’s coronavirus charity appeal. Receiving the Living Wage means that I feel like a valued member of the Star team. It’s wonderful to have my hard work recognised.”

Grace Gardner, receptionist and admin assistant at the Trust, said she was grateful to be paid a salary she could live on so early in her career. She said:

“I feel very lucky to be able to save and even contribute to a pension so early on in my working life. I know that many employers pay their staff a lot less. I feel very fortunate, particularly when there is so much uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive at Star Academies, praised all of the Trust’s Living Wage workers who he said had worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic. He said:

“Throughout these exceptional times, our Living Wage workers have demonstrated the importance of their work and their commitment to keeping our schools safe and our pupils learning. We are incredibly grateful to our employees for their hard work, especially during such challenging times. It is only right that our heroic staff are paid a wage they can live on and not just the bare minimum. Our commitment to paying the Living Wage will continue and we hope this commitment will provide some comfort to our valued staff during these difficult times.”

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. Accredited employers pay the Living Wage rate, which is updated annually, on a voluntary basis. Since 2011, the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to more than 150,000 people and put more than £600m extra into the pockets of low paid workers.

Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 9th Nov 2020 | Posted In: Latest News