A Real Living Wage to Challenge Poverty in Cornwall

Last week was Challenge Poverty Week (16-22 October) in England and Wales. This is an annual event which encourages policy makers and leaders from organisations just like Cornwall Council to go out and visit the organisations working to support our communities.

Figures from November 2022, Citizens UK suggest that 13% of all workers in Cornwall are not paid the real living wage (about 25,000 workers). If 25% of those not paid the real living wage were uplifted to receiving the Real Living Wage then Citizens UK say this would mean a GVA uplift of £11.2 million pounds (based on one year Nov 22 to Nov 2023).  There is therefore an individual and business economy benefit to this campaign.

From June to July 2022 Truro Food Bank fed 616 people; in the same period this year they fed 832 people. 464 of these people said their income did not allow them to afford the essentials.

Andrew Yates, Chair of the Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum said, “We were delighted to hear from so many organisations committing to join us in the campaign. This week Glen Carne, a charity providing accommodation for vulnerable people, committed to Real Living Wage, so we are seeing results already, which is excellent.”

“It was reassuring to see over 100 people come to our event for Challenge Poverty Week.  We achieved the main aim, which was to raise the profile of the real Living Wage Place campaign for Cornwall.  This was a great opportunity to explain what this means for businesses and, most importantly, employees that are paid the minimum wage or do not have secure working hours.  There were inspirational talks from VIVA (a community group of residents relating their experiences) and Patrick Langmaid (business owner of Mother Ivey's) who is a passionate advocate of the benefits of paying the real living wage.  It was great to hear Sophie Hosking (Cornwall Council), Jessie Leigh (Cornwall Chamber of Commerce) and Edward Chapman (Federation of Small Business FSB) fully endorse this proposal for a Cornwall wide campaign from a local authority and business perspective.  The next step is for an action group to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and that group to plan to encourage businesses of all type and size to commit to paying the real living wage.” said Simon Fann, Manager of Truro Food Bank.

CEO of Cornwall VSF, Emma Rowse added, “It is really challenging for lots of our small organisations because they are really small micro businesses – but this campaign is about enthusing people, getting them on board with a commitment to go on that journey together.”

To garner support for this initiative, the organising committee held an event at St Michael’s Church in Newquay on Friday 13 October.