Living Wages

Citizens UK started the Living Wage campaign over 15 years ago, and through it has won millions in extra wages for working people while accrediting thousands of Living Wage employers.

In 2013 & 2014 George led successful efforts from Nottingham Citizens to push both City and County Councils to begin paying a Living Wage, culminating in a pay raise for over 5,000 people.

In 2015-16 George worked with colleague Stefan Baskerville to finally crack the retail sector, one of the largest low paying sectors in the UK. George led research efforts that finally exposed the extent of the subsidy going to low paying employers, helping turn up the heat in the national conversation.

This new attack line helped build consensus across the aisle in favour of higher pay, and was picked up by Boris Johnson among other leading Conservatives.

The campaign continues to go from strength to strength led by the Living Wage Foundation and Citizens UK, even after the government rebranded the minimum wage to a national living wage.

Parthenon