All Ipswich Council Staff Paid at Least the Real Living Wage

If you work in Ipswich, or employ people here, this week is a good moment to think about what a fair day’s pay looks like. The real Living Wage is now £14.10 an hour, and Ipswich Borough Council is marking Living Wage Week 2026 by highlighting its commitment to paying at least that to everyone who works for it.

What is Living Wage Week?

Living Wage Week runs from 9 to 15 November 2026. It is the annual celebration of the Living Wage movement, and this year the campaign turns 25. In that time it has grown into a nationwide movement, supported by nearly 17,000 accredited employers across the UK.

The real Living Wage is not the same thing as the government’s minimum wage. It is calculated independently, based on the cost of living, and reflects the everyday expenses that employees and their families face. The new rate was announced on 15 October and is £14.10 an hour.

Ipswich’s long-standing commitment

The Council has been a Living Wage Employer since 2014. It was the first local authority in Suffolk to be accredited. Everyone who works for the Council is paid at least the Living Wage.

The Council says Living Wage Week is also a chance to recognise the contribution made by its employees and its contractors across the Borough, day in and day out.

Cllr Martin Cook, Portfolio Holder for Resources, said the Council’s staff are at the heart of everything it does:

“Every day, colleagues work hard to support residents, maintain our public spaces, deliver essential services and help our communities thrive.”

He added that, as a Living Wage Employer, the Council is proud to recognise that contribution. It believes the people who make a difference to Ipswich deserve to feel valued and supported. He also encouraged every employer in the town to join the Council in becoming accredited.

Why it matters locally

For employees, a wage based on real living costs can make a practical difference to household budgets. For employers, accreditation is a public way of showing that you value your team. When more local businesses and organisations sign up, more people in Ipswich benefit.

The Council’s message is simple: if you employ people in the town, consider joining the Living Wage movement.

Employers who would like to become accredited can find out more at livingwage.org.uk. Living Wage Week runs from 9 to 15 November 2026, and the current real Living Wage rate is £14.10 an hour.

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Press Team

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