[UK] London Ambulance Service becomes Living Wage Employer

In the UK, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) has joined a group of top employers that are officially recognised for paying their staff a wage reflecting the cost of living in the capital, London Ambulance Service reports.

Its accreditation by the Living Wage Campaign means every member of LAS staff – including those in control rooms and those who prepare ambulances to go on the road – now earns more than the government’s minimum wage and receives an hourly minimum rate of £11.95.

Sadiq Khan - The Mayor of London - welcomed the development. He said, “I am delighted that the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust has become a London Living Wage Employer. LAS staff work tirelessly to keep us all safe and it is only right that they are paid fair wage for their efforts.

“I’m proud that since I became Mayor the number of accredited London Living Wage employers has more than quadrupled, and I’m determined to keep up this momentum. I hope other organisations will see LAS’ successful implementation of the living wage and be inspired to join us on our journey to build a better and fairer London for all.”

London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said, “This is a significant achievement and I’m very proud we have achieved Living Wage employer status. Our staff are the biggest asset we have and it’s right we pay everyone a wage that reflects the additional costs of living in this city.”

The accreditation reportedly follows a decision to make cleaning staff working under contract members of NHS staff. This means an increase in pay for around 90 people cleaning LAS headquarters, ambulance stations and other buildings to bring them in line with the London Living Wage.

Around 400 people working in the London Ambulance Service’s Make Ready Service – the team of staff who work to re-stock and re-fuel ambulances before a shift – benefitted from a similar move in 2022.

The recognition makes LAS one of the around 11,000 organisations to have voluntarily raised staff salaries as part of this scheme. It joins employers like Google, Nationwide building society and Chelsea Football Club. Currently, only a few NHS Trusts in London have achieved this accreditation.

Source: London Ambulance Service

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) has joined a group of top employers that are officially recognised for paying their staff a wage reflecting the cost of living in the capital, London Ambulance Service reports.

Its accreditation by the Living Wage Campaign means every member of LAS staff – including those in control rooms and those who prepare ambulances to go on the road – now earns more than the government’s minimum wage and receives an hourly minimum rate of £11.95.

Sadiq Khan - The Mayor of London - welcomed the development. He said, “I am delighted that the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust has become a London Living Wage Employer. LAS staff work tirelessly to keep us all safe and it is only right that they are paid fair wage for their efforts.

“I’m proud that since I became Mayor the number of accredited London Living Wage employers has more than quadrupled, and I’m determined to keep up this momentum. I hope other organisations will see LAS’ successful implementation of the living wage and be inspired to join us on our journey to build a better and fairer London for all.”

London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said, “This is a significant achievement and I’m very proud we have achieved Living Wage employer status. Our staff are the biggest asset we have and it’s right we pay everyone a wage that reflects the additional costs of living in this city.”

The accreditation reportedly follows a decision to make cleaning staff working under contract members of NHS staff. This means an increase in pay for around 90 people cleaning LAS headquarters, ambulance stations and other buildings to bring them in line with the London Living Wage.

Around 400 people working in the London Ambulance Service’s Make Ready Service – the team of staff who work to re-stock and re-fuel ambulances before a shift – benefitted from a similar move in 2022.

The recognition makes LAS one of the around 11,000 organisations to have voluntarily raised staff salaries as part of this scheme. It joins employers like Google, Nationwide building society and Chelsea Football Club. Currently, only a few NHS Trusts in London have achieved this accreditation.

Source: London Ambulance Service

(Quotes via original reporting)