SOUTHAMPTON arts organisation ‘a space’ arts has restated its commitment to paying its employees the Real Living Wage.

The Real Living Wage Foundation announced this week that starting in April 2022, the rate for the Real Living Wage would increase.

‘a space’ arts is a Southampton-based non-profit and Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) operating in a part of the UK where 15% of all jobs pay less than the real living wage, or roughly 572,000 people. Despite this, the Southampton arts organisation has pledged to pay its employees a real living wage and provide a fair day's wage.

The real living wage is higher than the government’s minimum-known as the National Living Wage-and instead is an independently calculated hourly rate of pay that is based on the actual cost of living.

The Living Wage Foundation calculates it each year and announces it during Living Wage Week.

The current rate in the UK is £9.50, with a higher rate of £10.85 in London, reflecting greater living costs in the capital.

Daniel Crow, Director of 'a Space' Arts, said: "We are proud that our organisation is an accredited Real Living Wage Employer and are delighted to reaffirm our commitment. This means that every member of staff working for the organisation will earn a real living wage, including casual staff and our weekend crew who help run our flagship arts and heritage venue, God’s House Tower, in Southampton’s historic Old Town.

Daniel added: "Our staff are our greatest asset, so committing to paying them the real living wage is just one way of demonstrating how much we value their contribution."

Over 7000 businesses in the UK have chosen to pay the Real Living Wage voluntarily. You can find other organisations that pay the Living Wage here: www.livingwage.org.uk/living-wage-map or www.livingwage.org.uk.