At this week’s full City Council meeting, Cllr Andrea Reiner seconded a motion that called for Cambridge City Council to take steps to make sure every worker receives at least the living wage.

The plans to raise the lowest council pay to the current national living wage of £7.20 per hour comes in recognition of the high cost of living in Cambridge.

Cllr Reiner said, “The state of the economy is dire and the cost of living in Cambridge is high; this measure would help workers on the lowest wages by lifting them. There are also studies that show that the living wage is good for employers as well, because it improves staff morale. I hope that by taking a step in this direction Cambridge City Council can act as an example to other employers and put a bit of upward pressure on wages generally.”

Members were asked to call on the city’s MPs to support the motion and campaign for the living wage in the city.

The motion was passed unanimously. Living Wage Week will be marked across the UK between November 4 and 10.