One in five paid less than Living Wage

wage packetMore than a fifth of UK workers earn less than the living wage, according to a new report published today. The KPMG research says that bar and catering staff, care workers and shop assistants are among those most likely to live ‘hand to mouth’ because of low pay.

The report is published on the day new ‘living wage’ rates – the minimum pay rates needed to let workers lead a decent life – are published.

Some 5.28 million people are paid less than the Living Wage, according to KPMG. The latest figure indicates that 22 percent of employees now earn less than the Living Wage – up from 21 percent last year.

Although the rise sounds modest, in real terms it equates to 147,000 people.  The data also belies a worrying trend which sees part-time, female and young workers as the most likely to earn a wage that fails to provide a basic but decent standard of living.

The research, conducted by Markit for KPMG, shows that the proportion of people earning less than £7.65 per hour (or £8.80 in London) is much higher amongst part-time workers.  More than 4 in 10 (43 percent) take home less than the Living Wage, compared to 13 percent of full-time employees.  Despite accounting for less than one-third of all UK jobs, there are also more part-time roles paying less than the Living Wage (2.98 million) than full-time jobs (2.29 million).

whatislivingMore than forty years after the first Sex Discrimination Act was passed, the research also finds that women are more likely to be paid below the Living Wage than men.  This year’s data shows, for example, that 1 in 4 women earn less than the benchmark, compared to 16 percent of men.  It’s a figure that has stagnated over the past 12 months.  Even where wages have increased, men earning less than the Living Wage have been awarded an average 3 percent increase, compared to 2.7 percent for women.

Although the number of young unemployed continues to fall, it is clear from analysis of the data that younger workers remain the most likely group to be caught in the ‘working poverty’ trap.  72 percent of 18-21 year olds are currently earning less than the Living Wage, compared to just 15 percent of those aged 30-39.  In real terms this equates to 1,175,000 employees of traditional university age failing to earn enough to support the purchase of basic necessities.

Mike Kelly, Head of Living Wage at KPMG, says: “Although there are almost 1,000 organisations pledged to pay a Living Wage, far too many UK employees are stuck in the spiral of low pay. With the cost of living still high the squeeze on household finances remains acute, meaning that the reality for many is that they are forced to live hand to mouth.

“Inflation may be easing, but unless wages rise we will continue to see huge swathes of people caught between the desire to contribute to society and the inability to afford to do so.  For some time it was easy for businesses to hide behind the argument that increased wages hit their bottom line, but there is ample evidence to suggest the opposite – in the shape of higher retention and higher productivity.  It may not be possible for every business, but it is certainly not impossible to explore the feasibility of paying a Living Wage.”

This year’s research also revealed that, during October 2014, almost three times as many people earning less than the Living Wage (29 percent) reported that their household finances worsened over the month, compared to just 10 percent who saw an improvement.  The net effect has seen demand for unsecured credit rising, with twice as many people earning below the Living Wage (18 percent) reporting an increase in their need to borrow, compared to just 9 percent who signalled a reduction.

This pressure on finances is also something many people believe will last beyond the short-term.  35 percent of those earning less than the Living Wage expect to see household finances worsen between now and November 2015.  22 percent also report fears over job security – a figure that has remained unchanged, despite improvements to the wider economy.

The Rt Hon Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission said: “This research is further proof that more workers are getting stuck in low paid work with little opportunity for progression.

“It is welcome that the number of accredited Living Wage firms has increased.  But far more needs to be done to help millions of people move from low pay to living pay. Employers and government both have a key role to play.  With the right leadership Britain can become a Living Wage country over the next decade.”

THE LIVING WAGE: what is it?

The UK ‘living wage’ – an hourly rate based on the amount needed to cover the basic costs of living – has today been raised by 20p to £7.85. The new rate – set by the Living Wage Foundation – is now 21% higher than the compulsory National Minimum Wage, which is currently £6.50 an hour.

The living wage has been adopted by more than 1,000 employers across the country, benefiting 35,000 workers, but business groups have said employers might struggle to pay it. The living wage is currently an informal benchmark, a voluntary option for employers and not a legally enforceable minimum level of pay like the national minimum wage.

The national minimum wage is set by the chancellor each year on the advice of the Low Pay Commission and is enforced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The national living wage is currently calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University but the living wage in London has been calculated by the Greater London Authority since 2005. The new rate in London will rise from £8.80 an hour to £9.15, London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced.

 

Keir surgery at Millennium Centre tonight

colin Keir MSP 2MSP Colin Keir holds his next surgery here at Muirhouse Millennium (Community) Centre TONIGHT (3 November) from 4pm. If you are a constituent and have a problem, enquiry or complaint, you are more than welcome to come to one of Colin’s surgeries, which take place on the first Monday of each month. No appointment necessary.

James McGinty

Broughton's Good Samaritans!

DSCF2187You never have to look too hard to find articles critical of young people, so it’s always nice to be able to tell the other side of the story. Step forward Comely Bank woman Helen MacDonald. 

Helen, who is 76, was clearing up following a family birthday party at LifeCare House. Whilst leaning over to dump bags of rubbish in a big bin in Comely Bank Street she took a dizzy turn and fell. Disorientated, Helen was confused and unable to get back to her feet.

“To be honest I wasn’t sure what I was going to do”, she said. “It all happened very quickly and it was a bit of a blur. One second I was putting bags of rubbish in a bin and the next I was on the ground. I felt a bit daft!”

Help was at hand, however. Three S2 Broughton High School pupils were on lunch break when they witnessed the accident, and in the finest tradition of the Three Musketeers  Justin Youngs, Mason Harrison and Reece Head leapt to the aid of a damsel in distress.

The boys quickly got Helen back on her feet again, and, having been reassured that Helen was none the worse for her mishap, the students headed back to Broughton.

That may have been the end of the story, but for Helen’s daughter – another Helen. When she heard her mum’s story she felt that the schoolboys deserved some recognition for their prompt actions so she embarked on some detective work. Young Helen – it had been her birthday party, incidentally – contacted the Head Teacher at Broughton and the three students were soon traced.

Last week Helen – who has made a full recovery – was reunited with Justin, Mason and Reece at the Inverleith Community Conference at Broughton High School. The boys remained modest about their actions, but Helen gave the lads small gifts to show her appreciation and said: “I am really happy to have the chance to say a proper ‘thank you’ to the boys. I really don’t know how long I would have been there if they hadn’t come to help me. You do hear lots of awful things about young people but these boys are a real credit to their families and their school.”

Broughton’s Good Samaritans!

DSCF2187You never have to look too hard to find articles critical of young people, so it’s always nice to be able to tell the other side of the story. Step forward Comely Bank woman Helen MacDonald. 

Helen, who is 76, was clearing up following a family birthday party at LifeCare House. Whilst leaning over to dump bags of rubbish in a big bin in Comely Bank Street she took a dizzy turn and fell. Disorientated, Helen was confused and unable to get back to her feet.

“To be honest I wasn’t sure what I was going to do”, she said. “It all happened very quickly and it was a bit of a blur. One second I was putting bags of rubbish in a bin and the next I was on the ground. I felt a bit daft!”

Help was at hand, however. Three S2 Broughton High School pupils were on lunch break when they witnessed the accident, and in the finest tradition of the Three Musketeers  Justin Youngs, Mason Harrison and Reece Head leapt to the aid of a damsel in distress.

The boys quickly got Helen back on her feet again, and, having been reassured that Helen was none the worse for her mishap, the students headed back to Broughton.

That may have been the end of the story, but for Helen’s daughter – another Helen. When she heard her mum’s story she felt that the schoolboys deserved some recognition for their prompt actions so she embarked on some detective work. Young Helen – it had been her birthday party, incidentally – contacted the Head Teacher at Broughton and the three students were soon traced.

Last week Helen – who has made a full recovery – was reunited with Justin, Mason and Reece at the Inverleith Community Conference at Broughton High School. The boys remained modest about their actions, but Helen gave the lads small gifts to show her appreciation and said: “I am really happy to have the chance to say a proper ‘thank you’ to the boys. I really don’t know how long I would have been there if they hadn’t come to help me. You do hear lots of awful things about young people but these boys are a real credit to their families and their school.”

Pilton group walks off with award!

PILTON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT VOLUNTEERS ‘WALK’ AWAY WITH AN AWARD!

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We are delighted to announce that the Pilton Community Health Project walking volunteers have won an award from the Scottish charity Paths for All.

The award for ‘Health Walk Volunteer group of the Year’ will be presented by Shona Robison MSP at the charity’s annual celebration ceremony ‘Celebrating Scotland’s Walking Champions’ tomorrow (Tuesday 4 Novomber) at the Scottish Parliament.

The ceremony recognises the achievements of volunteers from across the country and their contribution to making Scotland more active.

The Pilton Community Health Project walking volunteers have won the award for their dedication and team spirit; this has been key to the success and expansion of the walking programme.

The team consists of eleven highly motivated volunteers who are all passionate about walking and how it can address health inequalities. Without them, the project wouldn’t be able to offer an increasingly wide range of opportunities for local people.

Together they effectively manage the walking groups and help others take steps toward improving their health and wellbeing.

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Congratulations to all!

Choirs required for Inverleith charity festival

Crowd of SantasThe Christmas Charity Festival will be taking place at Inverleith Park on 6 & 7 December and organisers are looking for choirs to help provide some seasonal song at the popular event.

A number of slots are available throughout the day – if you’d  like to take part contact Terry Crossley – email terry@greatscottishevents.org.uk – or telephone 0131 208 2500.

Visit www.christmascharityfestival.com for more info on the weekends’s events

Santa

 

 

EVOC update

EVOClogoPlease help us help you by completing our questionnaire about local Voluntary Sector Forums.

Please see link below to a survey regarding the local Voluntary Sector Forums which asks questions of your involvement with, and your experience of, participating in the Forum within your area.

http://www.evoc.org.uk/blog/voluntary-sector-forums/

I have already met some of you who have shared their experiences with me.  However, having looked at the notes from these meetings  I have realised that this is an opportunity to collate as many opinions as possible and try to identify what the strengths of the Forums  are, how we build on these strengths whilst acknowledging and identifying  where improvement can be achieved.

Can I ask you to take 10 minutes out to complete this more comprehensive questionnaire? 

A discussion paper will then be produced highlighting the results and looking at a way forward to ensuring everyone, who wants to, can engage fully and effectively  with both Voluntary Sector Forums and also Neighbourhood Partnerships.  This piece of work will also complement and feed into the Neighbourhood Partnership Review.

All organisations responding to this questionnaire will be kept fully informed of the findings and we also hope to highlight best practice and some of the successes achieved by all organisations working together. 

http://www.evoc.org.uk/blog/voluntary-sector-forums/

  

EVOC’s AGM and Annual Conference 2014: ‘Chasing Unicorns’

‘Chasing Unicorns’, EVOC’s Third Sector Conference and Annual General Meeting, will be held on 11 November 2014 from 9:30am (for 10am start) to 1.30pm at the Norton Park Conference Centre in Edinburgh. We’ll be exploring the future of Scotland’s Third Sector – and any opportunities or challenges that may arise post Referendum.

Full details of the event and booking form available here.

june

Opportunities for children in local theatre project

penny
Children to participate in 1d Tenement Opera
As you may know, we are developing a couple of street scenes in the 1d Tenement Opera which include young children. Altogether we need six children and some of you have already said that your children are interested in participating.
If anyone else has children who are interested in participating, please let me know by Friday 7th November.

The children will be required for the following rehearsals:

Saturday 8th November 12 noon – 2pm at North Edinburgh Arts
Saturday 15th November 12 noon – 2pm at North Edinburgh Arts
Saturday 29th November 12 noon – 2pm at North Edinburgh Arts
Saturday 6th December 12 noon – 2pm at North Edinburgh Arts.

The children will also be required for rehearsals from 2nd January – 17th January. Performances are on 15th, 16th & 17th January.

Please get in contact with me or Kate Wimpress, if you would like to discuss this further. People who have already expressed an interest – again, please confirm this to me by 7th November.

Visit to National Library of Scotland Monday 8 December

I have heard back from some of you, but if there is anyone else who should like to come, please let me know by 7th November.

Stephanie Knight, North Edinburgh Theatre Project

NEA

Homing in: Edinburgh writers shine in new anthology

edinburgh imageFive Edinburgh residents who wrote short stories about what ‘home’ means to them for a national writing competition have had their submissions chosen to be published in a book. 

They beat off competition from over 500 other entries to win a place in a special book entitled Scotland’s Stories of Home. Their submissions will feature alongside entries from 33 other winners and author contributors such as Alan Warner, Vic Galloway, Kirsty Logan and Beatrice Colin.

The winners include:

Seonaid Cook, writing as Shona Cook, who submitted ‘Home Run’, a story that recounts a train journey from Edinburgh to London in which she ponders her feelings about the Scottish Referendum.

Commenting on the publication of her story, Seonaid said: “The project was timely; helping me confront complex feelings about where I belong after changes in family and career and discussions around the independence referendum. I’m excited, if a little nervous, to see my work in print for the first time since I set out to be a writer.” 

Sine Kay Harris, a student at the University of Glasgow, submitted ‘Shell’, a story about finding ‘home’ in amongst the bookshelves of Edinburgh’s public libraries.

Sine said: “I think the Scotland’s Stories of Home project is a really wonderful opportunity to give the people of Scotland a chance to speak for themselves about what this country we all call home means to them.” 

Laura Clay, an editor for the Raspberry Pi Foundation, submitted ‘A Story of Homecoming’. Her story explores her experience of getting to know Edinburgh again after eight years of living down south.

Laura said: “The Stories of Home project has meant a great deal to me; having moved back to Edinburgh after eight years away, it’s been a good way of reconnecting with the city I love. I feel very lucky to be included in the book. It’s the first time my writing has been published, and I’m hoping my other work will be similarly successful in future!” 

The other Edinburgh winners were Julie Morrice, a music teacher living in Newington, with her poem ‘Travelling Home’ and Lorna Malone, a copywriter for an investment company, with her short story ‘A Potful of Home.’ 

The competition was held by Scottish Book Trust, the leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing in Scotland, and encouraged members of the public to express in writing what ‘home’ as a place or a concept means to them. Contributions included poems as well as prose that tell tales of childhood, communities, family life, travel and food.

To celebrate the third year of Book Week Scotland (24 – 30 November 2014) more than 150,000 free copies of Scotland’s Stories of Home will be gifted to people throughout the week. The books will be distributed in local bookshops, public libraries, prisons, hospitals, visitor information centres, ferry terminals and train stations. All the stories entered for the competition are available to read at www.bookweekscotland.com.

Scotland’s Stories of Home also features original commissioned contributions from some of the best-loved names in Scottish arts andliterature, including Alan Warner, Des Dillon and a special contribution in Gaelic from Catriona Lexy Chaimbeul.

Sophie Moxon, Acting Director of Scottish Book Trust said“Scotland’s Stories of Home has given people of all ages living in Scotland a chance to express in writing what ‘home’ means to them. We received hundreds of submissions from members of the public, sharing beautifully unique stories of home as a place and a concept and are delighted to be able to give away 150,000 free copies of this wonderful book for Book Week Scotland 2014.”

All the entries to the Scotland’s Stories of Home campaign can be read here: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/stories-of-home

The Edinburgh winner’s stories are available at the following links: 

Shona Cook’s ‘Home Run’: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/stories-of-home/story/home-run

Sine Kay Harris’ ‘Shell’: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/stories-of-home/story/shell

Laura Clay’s ‘A Story of Homecoming’: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/stories-of-home/story/a-story-of-homecoming

Julie Morrice’s ‘Travelling Home’: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/stories-of-home/story/travelling-home

Lorna Malone’s ‘A Potful of Home’: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/stories-of-home/story/a-potful-of-home

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