Cambridge Leaders Come Together to Celebrate 25 Years of the Living Wage Movement
Cambridge Leaders Come Together to Celebrate 25 Years of the Living Wage Movement
Employers, civic leaders, community organisations and university partners from across Cambridge will gather on 21 October to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Living Wage movement and its impact on workers, employers and communities. The event will recognise organisations that have championed fair pay while highlighting Cambridge's growing reputation as a city committed to tackling in-work poverty and supporting inclusive economic growth.
Hosted by Anglia Ruskin University in partnership with Cambridge Citizens, The Living Wage Foundation, and Cambridge City Council, the breakfast celebration will bring together leaders from business, higher education, local government and civil society to reflect on the achievements of the Living Wage movement and look ahead to future opportunities.
What Will Happen
Guests will hear from speakers representing a range of sectors and organisations committed to fair pay. The programme includes a panel discussion exploring the benefits of Living Wage accreditation, the role employers can play in promoting fair work, and how collaboration across sectors can help create a stronger local economy.
The event will also showcase how partnerships between employers, anchor institutions and community organisations can drive positive change across Cambridge, helping workers and families benefit from economic success in the city.
Why It Matters
Twenty-five years ago, the Living Wage movement began as a community-led campaign focused on ensuring workers received pay that reflected the real cost of living. Since then, it has grown into a national movement that has improved the lives of thousands of workers and their families across the UK.
The Cambridge celebration provides an opportunity to recognise local Living Wage employers, strengthen relationships between civic institutions and businesses, and encourage more organisations to become accredited Living Wage employers.
Cambridge has become one of the country's leading centres for innovation and economic growth. The event aims to demonstrate that economic success and social justice go hand in hand, and that fair pay remains a vital tool in building thriving communities.
Register for the event
Cambridge Living Wage 25th Anniversary Breakfast Celebration
Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
Time: 8:15am-9:30am
Venue: Science Atrium, Ground Floor, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge
The anniversary breakfast is open to employers, civic institutions, community organisations and anyone interested in fair work and inclusive growth. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about Living Wage accreditation, connect with local leaders and explore how Cambridge can continue to lead the way in promoting decent work and tackling in-work poverty.
Attendance is free, but places are limited.
Economic growth means nothing unless it can work for everyone. That means a fair wage for a fair day's work. I welcome the role the Living Wage movement has played over the last 25 years in putting better pay on employers' agendas.
Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
ARU is proud to host this celebration and to stand alongside partners who share our commitment to fair pay. As an accredited Living Wage Employer, we know that paying people a wage based on the real cost of living is both the right thing to do and an important investment in an inclusive, thriving community.
Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University
Improving workers' quality of life helps businesses retain employees and supports Cambridge as a place where people and businesses can thrive. I'd encourage businesses interested in learning more to come along and discover how real Living Wage accreditation benefits employees and supports staff retention.
Cllr Antoinette Nestor, Cambridge City Council's Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Skills
We are Cambridge Citizens, a Citizens UK Chapter. Thousands of people have united to form our alliance, from schools and universities, to faith groups and other community organisations.
Together, we organise to overcome injustice and win change on the things that you and your local communities care about most across the city.