The London Living Wage
FREE TAILORED SUPPORT FOR LONDON LIVING WAGE EMPLOYERS IN EALING
Join a growing network of more than 100 employers across Ealing who are leading the way on fair pay, supporting their workforce and strengthening their organisations.
Ealing-based employers can currently access:
✅ First-year accreditation fees covered by Ealing Council
✅ Free business support
✅ Free recruitment support
✅ Free staff training
✅ Free promotion and recognition opportunities
Whether you’re a business, charity, school or community organisation, becoming accredited can help you attract and retain staff while demonstrating your commitment to fair pay.
What is the London Living Wage?
The London Living Wage is an hourly rate of pay, currently set at £15.45. It is calculated each year to reflect the real cost of living in London, helping workers and their families afford the essentials and meet everyday living costs.
The London Living Wage is independently calculated and paid voluntarily by thousands of employers who want to ensure their staff earn enough to meet everyday living costs.
Why it matters in Ealing
Ealing Council is proud to support local organisations that do the right thing by paying their staff the London Living Wage.
By supporting more employers to adopt the London Living Wage, we are helping to build a fairer and more inclusive local economy where residents are paid fairly for their work and have greater financial stability.
Ealing became West London’s first Living Wage Place in 2024, demonstrating a borough-wide commitment to fair pay.
More than 100 employers across Ealing have already achieved accreditation, including businesses, charities, schools and public sector organisations.
Ealing is also home to the UK’s first Living Wage Zone at North Acton Square, helping to promote good work and fair pay across the borough.
Why employers choose accreditation
Research consistently shows that paying the London Living Wage can help employers:
- Attract higher-quality job applicants
- Improve staff retention and reduce recruitment costs
- Increase employee engagement and motivation
- Strengthen their reputation with customers and stakeholders
- Demonstrate commitment to social value and fair employment practices
- Support employee wellbeing and financial security
These benefits are particularly valuable in a competitive labour market where attracting and retaining talented staff remains a challenge.
WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
Participating businesses will receive:
A one-to-one business health check to understand your current situation, identify priorities and develop a tailored action plan.
We will cover your Living Wage accreditation fee:
If you pay business rates
We will refund your accreditation fee through the business rates team.
Find out more: Apply for the discount for businesses paying the London Living Wage | London Living Wage business rate discount | Ealing Council
If you do not pay business rates
We will pay your accreditation invoice directly.
Access practical expert support to help your organisation grow and succeed, including:
- Business planning
- HR advice
- Marketing support
- Operational improvement
- One-to-one advice sessions
- Group workshops and masterclasses
For more details and how to register visit: London Living Wage Business Support Programme – Good for Ealing
Advertise vacancies, improve job descriptions and access local recruitment support at no cost.
Find out more: www.workealing.com
To find out about the latest training on offer, email: invest@ealing.gov.uk
Need help navigating council services, accessing information or connecting with local business networks?
Our team can provide a dedicated business contact to help you make the most of available opportunities.
Email: invest@ealing.gov.uk
Raise your profile and showcase your commitment to fair pay through:
- Inclusion on Ealing’s London Living Wage Wall of Fame
- Promotion through council communications channels
- Opportunities to feature in case studies and employer spotlight articles
- Participation in the annual Ealing London Living Wage Employer Awards
Schools, charities and community organisations
London Living Wage accreditation is not just for businesses.
Schools, charities, faith organisations, social enterprises and community groups can all become accredited employers and access support through this programme.
Accreditation demonstrates a commitment to fairness, staff wellbeing and social responsibility while helping organisations attract and retain talented employees.
HOW TO BECOME ACCREDITED
Becoming a London Living Wage employer is straightforward and the Living Wage Foundation will support you throughout the process.
A one-to-one business health check to understand your current situation, identify priorities and develop a tailored action plan.
Confirm that all directly employed staff are paid at least the London Living Wage (£15.45 per hour).
Complete the online enquiry form via the Living Wage Foundation website.
The Living Wage Foundation will contact you with access to their accreditation platform and guide you through the application process.
This includes confirming details about your employees and any regularly contracted workers, such as cleaning or security staff.
Once approved, you can officially display the Living Wage Employer Mark and access Ealing’s package of business support, staff training, recruitment support and promotional opportunities.
Need support?
Our team can support you through every stage of the process.
Email: invest@ealing.gov.uk
News and success stories from local employers
fREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A one-to-one business health check to understand your current situation, identify priorities and develop a tailored action plan.
The London Living Wage is independently calculated based on the cost of living and is voluntarily paid by accredited employers.
The Government’s National Living Wage is separate and set by government. It is not calculated according to the actual cost of living and is therefore lower than the London Living Wage.
No. Accredited employers are not required to pay volunteers or apprentices the London Living Wage.
Yes, provided you meet the Living Wage Foundation’s standards regarding fair treatment and contract arrangements.
The Living Wage Foundation will ask about regular third-party contractors, such as cleaning or security staff.
You do not necessarily need to pay them the Living Wage immediately, but you will be expected to have a clear plan in place for doing so. The Living Wage Foundation will work with you to agree an appropriate timescale.
Costs vary according to the size of your organisation, starting from £100 per year for organisations with fewer than 10 employees.
Yes. Organisations of all sizes and sectors can become accredited and benefit from this support, including businesses, charities, social enterprises and sole traders.
This support package is currently available until February 2027.