The Oxford Living Wage (OLW) initiative, introduced in 2018, aims to ensure workers can earn enough to cover the city’s high living costs, making it one of the most expensive places in the UK. This year, over 130 businesses and organizations in Oxford committed to paying a fairer wage to more than 27,000 employees. The city council is encouraging even more organizations to adopt the new wage rate, striving to make Oxford a fairer city for all.
Council leader Susan Brown expressed pride in the highest number of Oxford employers committing to the OLW this year and hopes more will follow for the 2025/26 period. She emphasized that paying a living wage benefits not only employees but also employers and the local economy. It helps attract and retain talent while boosting the economy as residents have more disposable income to spend in other local businesses.
Brown invited any business or organization interested in offering the Oxford Living Wage to join the city’s free accreditation scheme and work together for a fairer Oxford. More information on the benefits of paying a living wage and a list of accredited employers can be found on the city council’s website.
