L&Q becomes Living Wage Employer, commits to ensuring supply chain does too
L&Q has been formally accredited as a Living Wage Employer, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that all 3,500 employees, and those working on its behalf, earn a real Living Wage.
L&Q has already paid the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended rates to all its directly employed colleagues for over 10 years.
As part of its formal accreditation, the housing association is now committing that from 1 April 2028 it will only work with suppliers and contractors who also pay the real Living Wage. This step ensures that the commitment to fair pay extends through its supply chain.
One of the largest social landlords in the UK, L&Q houses 250,000 people, primarily across Greater London and Greater Manchester. The housing association spends over £1.2 billion annually through its supply chain, covering construction, property services and corporate functions.
As a result of this commitment, everyone working for L&Q will receive a minimum hourly wage of £12.60 in the UK or £13.85 in London. Both rates are significantly higher than the government minimum for over 21s, which currently stands at £12.21 per hour.
The Living Wage Foundation’s real Living Wage remains the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on the cost of living, rising annually based on living costs. It gives employers the confidence they are paying a wage that meets everyday needs, not just the government minimum.
L&Q joins over 16,000 accredited employers who have secured over £3.85 billion of pay rises for low paid workers since 2011 and made a profound difference to millions of lives around the UK.
Tom Nicholls, Executive Group Director, Human Resources at L&Q said:
“We’re proud that L&Q has joined the Living Wage movement. As a not-for-profit organisation, social purpose is at the heart of everything we do - from providing quality, affordable homes to creating lasting positive change in the communities we serve.
“Our commitment to the real Living Wage extends beyond our colleagues. By working with our supply chain to ensure fair pay which meets the cost of living, we can help tackle in-work poverty and boost local economies across Greater London and Greater Manchester.”
Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation said:
“We’re delighted that L&Q has joined the movement of over 16,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.
“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more.
These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like L&Q, believe that everyone needs to be able to live with dignity and have a decent standard of living."