1. Making Lincoln a Living Wage city Councillor Ric Metcalfe Leader City of Lincoln Council Lincoln Against Poverty #LAPC2015 @lincolnVpoverty www.lincolnagainstpoverty.co.uk

2. Poverty & Low Pay Poverty usually associated with lack of paid employment The majority of households in poverty have at least one of its members in employment Unemployment levels have fallen lately but……. Significant problems of under-employment, low pay and insecure conditions including zero hours contracts Lincoln Against Poverty

3. The Living Wage A non statutory pay rate uprated annually against an evidence based calculation of a minimum standard Current rate outside London (£9.15) is £7.85 per hour (Legally enforceable National Minimum Wage £6.50 per hour- highest adult rate) Lincoln Against Poverty

4. The Case for the Living Wage Benefits to the wider economy Good for business Savings to the public purse Social Justice & social cohesion Lincoln Against Poverty

5. Living Wage - good for the local economy “It is a sensible part of economic rebalancing to have sustainable consumption. It is important that low paid workers are able to play their part as active consumers in our economy” (John Cridland DG of the CBI at WEF in Davos) “You have got to get money into people’s pockets to continue spending, which then goes into business” (Ron Lynch RD of IOD Annual Lunch in Lincolnshire) Moves more spending power into the hands of those who actually spend most in the local economy Lincoln Against Poverty

6. Living Wage good for business Evidence to suggest the favourable impact on staff recruitment & retention of staff Increased staff motivation, loyalty & reduced sickness levels Increasing consumer expectation of ethical behaviour- reputational gains of being a “good employer” Lincoln Against Poverty

7. Savings to the public purse Low pay heavily subsidised by the state through the tax credit and benefit system at significant cost The knock on effects of low income on people’s health and educational attainment leading to the need for much more costly interventions later Lincoln Against Poverty

8. Social Justice & Social Cohesion Is it just that people are not fairly rewarded for their work ? The wider impact of huge inequalities in income “More equal societies almost always do better” (Wilkinson & Pickett The Spirit Level 2009 Allen Lane) Lincoln Against Poverty

9. A Living Wage for everyone in Lincoln Living Wage forum already established The campaign starts today ! First step to register all those employers paying the living wage Please complete the survey form ! Raising awareness/ making the case/providing practical help & advice to employers This is a hugely important part of our anti-poverty work Join us ! Lincoln Against Poverty

10. Living Wage Accreditation Logo Lincoln Against Poverty #LAPC2015 @lincolnVpoverty www.lincolnagainstpoverty.co.uk