EMPLOYERS across west Cheshire are being urged to make a stand against poverty by paying staff the Local Living Wage.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has launched a campaign to help make sure workers in the borough can earn a decent living.

Almost a fifth of the borough’s households have an annual income of £15,000 or less.

The Local Living Wage, which is voluntary, is about paying an hourly rate based on the real cost of living for employees and their families. It applies to anyone over 18.

This will rise from £8.25 to £8.45 in west Cheshire from April 1, and is reviewed annually. CWAC has paid all of its directly employed staff at least the Local Living Wage since April 2016.

Cllr Paul Donovan, cabinet member for democracy and workforce, said: “Increases in the cost of living mean that so many of our families are struggling with the basics – with putting food on the table or heating their homes.

“We want to make west Cheshire a Local Living Wage borough, where everyone can earn a decent living – but we need help from employers, both large and small.

“We’re looking for employers who are willing to lead the way, sign up to our Cheshire West and Chester Local Living Wage Charter and pay all their staff at least the Local Living Wage.

“Employers signing up to the charter are signing up to reduce poverty, boost the local economy and make life better in west Cheshire.”

Cllr Donovan said signing up to the charter will ultimately save employers in the long run because it will improve their retention of staff and make it easier to recruit staff.

Employers that pay a Local Living Wage report lower absenteeism and staff turnover, higher productivity and improvements in the quality of work, greater motivation and morale and stronger recruitment.

Cllr Louise Gittins, deputy leader and CWAC cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said: “It’s really exciting, it’s a great opportunity to make a difference in the borough, and it ticks all the boxes.

“It has a knock-on effect. It doesn’t just improve the business involved. As a whole it improves their quality of life. The social value is huge.

“It is about a ripple effect. We are leading by example across the borough.”

The Local Living Wage is different from the National Living Wage, a mandatory rate of £7.20 per hour set by government for people aged 25 and above and formerly known as the minimum wage.

For more details or to sign the council’s charter as a Local Living Wage employer, visit cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/LLW