Wildanet proudly supports Cornwall as a Living Wage Place

The accreditation, awarded by the Living Wage Foundation, makes Cornwall the first area in the UK to achieve this status, joining 17 other cities and metropolitan boroughs that have already made the pledge.

The announcement was made at a landmark event on Friday (February 14^th 2025), attended by business leaders, community organisations and local policymakers.

Wildanet is proud to be one of the businesses supporting this initiative, alongside other local employers committed to ensuring fair wages for workers across the county.

The Living Wage initiative encourages employers of all sizes and sectors to pay their employees and regular contractors a fair and reliable income - above the National Minimum Wage -so that workers can meet their everyday needs. Research from 2023 estimated 60,000 workers in Cornwall were paid less than the Real Living Wage, with a disproportionate impact on part-time workers, particularly women.

Having seen positive results in other Living Wage Places, an action group was formed to promote the idea in Cornwall, with Wildanet and other businesses including Mother Ivey’s Holiday Park, Cornish Gems, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum and Coastline Housing stepping up in support.

Over the past 18 months, the number of accredited businesses in Cornwall has grown from 113 to over 300, ensuring that more than 15,000 workers now receive the Real Living Wage.

The launch event took place at Bedruthan Hotel, in Mawgan Porth, and celebrated businesses already committed to fair pay while providing information to those considering joining the initiative.

Speakers included Wildanet’s CEO Helen Wylde-Archibald, who reinforced the company’s commitment to fair pay and the wider benefits of the initiative in fostering good employment practices, economic growth and social well-being.

She said: “At Wildanet, we firmly believe that paying a Real Living Wage is not just the right thing to do for our colleagues but also for the communities we serve. It helps create a more resilient economy where people are fairly rewarded for their work, leading to stronger businesses and a more vibrant local economy. We’re proud to support this initiative and encourage other employers in Cornwall to join us in making fair pay the norm.”

Simon Fann, manager of Truro Foodbank, who has helped lead the campaign, said: “The invitation driving this campaign is for all employers, no matter what size or sector, to consider the benefits of being a real living wage employer.  Yes, the mainstay is that workers need to receive fair and regular pay, but there are tangible benefits for businesses in Cornwall which can be financial as well as reputational.  This is a voluntary commitment – we urge businesses not to just default to paying the minimum or imposing zero hours contracts. The campaign will be promoted in the coming weeks and months. Be part of this momentum in Cornwall: come and discuss this with us, don’t just dismiss it as something that purely increases costs.”

Jane Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth, said: “We have suffered from low wages in Cornwall for many years. When I first stood for election back in 2017, I spoke at a TUC event in Truro identifying the issue. That is why I have been so pleased to support the focus on changing that, which the Cornwall as a Living Wage Place campaign has worked so hard to bring about.

“We have businesses and dedicated people and organisations in Cornwall who have been real advocates for a Living Wage and have pushed hard to get to this place, which has taken work and determination, and I salute their commitment and am sure it will make a real difference in the Duchy."

The initiative in Cornwall is looking to follow the success of other areas where employer engagement and support have seen a significant increase in awareness and positive change after becoming Real Living Wage Places. In Manchester, for example, there were 164 accredited businesses when the city became a Living Wage Place in 2022, having set itself the target of doubling that figure within three years. As of now, it has surpassed expectations, with 819 accredited firms covering 165,000 employees.

For more information on the Real Living Wage and how businesses can get involved, visit the Living Wage Foundation website at https://www.livingwage.org.uk or contact Simon Fann by email at [email protected]