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Join our call on the Chancellor to ensure that all workers employed on public money earn the real Living Wage

There are tens of thousands of workers employed through government contracts who are struggling to make ends meet. It’s bad enough when any hard-working person isn't paid enough to live on, but it’s even worse when Government departments responsible for health, welfare and work don’t pay the real Living Wage.

In just a week’s time, the government will make a big announcement – the so-called ‘Autumn Statement’ – to reveal its newest spending plans.

Sign the letter here

It’s vital that Chancellor Philip Hammond MP takes this opportunity to commit to a real Living Wage for all workers employed on public money. Click here to learn more and to write to your MP about this.

There are real people who deserve better behind this campaign. People like Rose who’s worked as a cleaner for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for over 15 years and yet is still only on the minimum wage:

“It’s getting colder and my jacket is torn but I don’t have enough money to replace it. I work 10 hrs a day yet my job simply doesn’t pay enough. I’ve had to borrow money to bring up my kids and now I have to find a way to pay it back” – Rose [1]

Our public money shouldn’t be used to fund low wages that force Rose and thousands of others to struggle to keep their heads above water. It doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, even when faced with cuts to their budgets, Local Councils like Winchester and Norwich City Councils are paying the real Living Wage to all their staff.

If you agree that it’s time to stop public money from being used to trap workers into poverty, please write to your MP now .

Click here to use our template letter. Sending it will only take a minute.

[1] Rose is not her real name. Our Community Organisers have worked with workers from HMRC and other government departments to help them campaign for the real Living Wage. As part of our listening campaign with workers, we have collected a range of testimonies like this one of what life on low pay looks like.

Posted on 22 Oct, 2018