Author: Cyril Richert

Battersea Hustings, March 2022 – Credit: Wandsworth Citizens

It’s time for the audience to ask questions during the  hustings organised in Battersea for the local election. A person stood up and suddenly several other individuals got up too.

“Hi, I’m Jess. I’m 18 and I go to a local secondary school. I’m standing with other local voters who, like me, care about fair pay. I know what it’s like to be in a family on the minimum wage, and it doesn’t cover the essential costs like rent and bills – which are now rising. The Real Living Wage –  £11.05 per hour – is already paid by 23 out of 33 London Councils and would make a massive difference to low-paid workers locally. Will you and your party commit to Wandsworth Council becoming an accredited Living Wage employer if you’re elected this May, setting an example to local employers and making sure all workers providing services to the council – including those who are subcontracted – get a Real Living Wage?”

This action was part of a global campaign organised by Wandsworth Citizens, a local alliance made up of faith communities, schools and community groups in the borough. This group is linked to Citizens UK, a national organisation which has launched the Living Wage campaign (LLW) in 2001 and since then has won over £1.3 billion of additional wages, lifting over 260,000 people out of working poverty. Continue reading →