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This week sees the launch of a bid to make Cornwall the first Real Living Wage county in the UK. Figures suggest that 13 per cent of all workers in Cornwall – around 25,000 people – are not paid the real living wage.
A group of cross sector organisations have joined forces to launch the campaign to have Cornwall designated as the first county in the UK to be officially recognised as a Living Wage Place, a status validated by the influential Real Living Wage Foundation. Towns and cities already classified by the foundation have seen pay rates rise because of pressure on employers.
Citizens UK suggested, using figures from November 2022, that 13 per cent of all workers in Cornwall are not paid the real living wage. If 25 per cent of those were uplifted to receiving the Real Living Wage then Citizens UK say this would mean a Gross Value Added (GVA) uplift of £11.2 million pounds based on the year from November 2022 to November 2023.
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In June to July 2022 Truro Food Bank fed 616 people – in the same period this year it fed 832 people. More than half of these people – 464 – said their income did not allow them to afford the essentials.
Andrew Yates, chairman of the Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum, said: “Getting partnerships to support this work is key to influencing real change, to improve the lives of many here in Cornwall.”
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“For too long, we have seen a rise in use of our food bank and wider demographic, shifting from Universal Credit and low-income families to nurses, teachers and other professionals. This is no longer just about more food and more donations. Raising the wage for all would make an impact of around £20 to £30 per week,” said Simon Fann, manager of Truro Foodbank. “This might be the difference between heating and eating over the winter.”
To gain support for the initiative, the organising committee is holding an event to kick off Challenge Poverty Week at St Michael’s Church in Newquay from 10am to 2pm on Friday (October 13). It will feature speeches by Mr Yates, Mr Fann, CEO of Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum Emma Rowse, strategic director for neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council Sophie Hosking and Patrick Langmaid, owner of Mother Ivey’s Holiday Park, near Padstow.
There will also be a range of services showcasing the support they can offer. The organising committee is Cornwall’s Independent Poverty Forum, Truro and Newquay food banks and Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. Places are free at the church and a lunch will be provided by Newquay Orchard.
Ms Rowse said: “Our community sector in Cornwall does an incredible job of supporting our people and communities and with a dedicated workforce of over 9,600 across the Duchy, we feel real change needs to happen at source. Tackling health inequality must involve a commitment to paying our staff the real living wage and Cornwall VSF are proud to announce we have joined a growing list of organisations to achieve Real Living Wage accreditation.
“Paying the Real Living Wage provides dignity and financial sustainability for our staff and their families, and we hope more of our sector will join us in committing to and pushing for fairer wages in Cornwall.”
Paul Green, from Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum, added: “This winter, the souring cost of living will deny dignity to many people in Cornwall. Many people will be forced to choose between heating and eating; to skip meals so that their children can eat, to go cold and hungry, in one of the world’s richest countries. We need to come together to uphold people’s dignity, make a positive change and work towards a just solution to the cost-of-living crisis.”
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