Lambeth invited Living Wage Champion employers and officials from Greenwich Lewisham, Merton, and Southwark to a “Good work and inclusive employment” event on Tuesday, 5 November at Lambeth Town Hall.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Marcia Cameron, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Economic Inclusion gave the keynote speech: “It’s truly inspiring to see people united to make South London a beacon for good work and inclusive employment. As we celebrate Living Wage Week, what we are celebrating is the collective action that will help us build a future where everyone can participate in the local economy.”
Roundtable with Living Wage Champions
The Living Wage Foundation’s Monalisa Saha introduced Living Wage Champion employers from each borough, saying “their stories prove that Living Wage isn’t just an hourly rate of pay, but a powerful tool for fairness.”
The employers talked about working with people overcoming barriers to finding work, about using Living Wage to offer people security, stability and status – and about the business benefits including staff loyalty and access to unique skill sets.
Partners
Homewards Royal Foundation explained why they joined the inclusive employment partnership – “We are interested in the barriers that create financial instability that can prevent people exiting homelessness.”
Flexible working specialists Timewise talked about the importance of job design in tackling poverty: “Flexibility is key to people staying in work, staying with an employer. It affects parents, carers, people with health concerns, people looking for stability. Good flex will look different for all employers and we’re here to help you match needs.”
Breakout sessions
Following the roundtable, people chose a discussion group:
- Overcoming barriers to employment, and becoming better at finding solutions,
- Championing the Living Wage and addressing in-work poverty, or
- Enabling sustainable employment through flexible working.
Closing words
Monalisa from the Living Wage Foundation summed up the evening: “Let me end on a positive note about the changes over the past year:
- 27,000 people and their families who benefit from London Living Wage – and their families – live in these five boroughs.
- We’ve seen employers like you go beyond their role as an employer to be an influencer, to make wider changes. Here tonight we’ve proved that you are not alone in your commitment.”
