Oxford Bus Company has renewed its commitment to paying the Oxford Living Wage. The operator has been accredited as an Oxford Living Wage Employer by Oxford City Council for the third year running.
The Oxford Living Wage is a minimum hourly rate of pay that promotes liveable earnings for all workers and recognises the high cost of living in the city. The rate of pay is set annually and is linked to the Living Wage Foundation’s Real Living Wage. The foundation sets two rates, one for London and one for the rest of the country.
Oxford City Council has set the rate at 95% of the London Living Wage as Oxford is one of the most expensive cities in the country. The current rate is £10.31 an hour. Oxford Bus Company was one of the founding local employers which committed to the initiative when it was launched in 2019.
Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “The Oxford Living Wage makes great business sense and helps us attract and retain colleagues. As a responsible employer operating in a city that is expensive to live in, we believe it is important to be a member of the Oxford Living Wage to ensure we reward our colleagues properly. It also helps us attract local people to the company, which reduces commuting times for many people.
“We are a people business and we invest significantly in training and colleague well-being and paying the Oxford Living Wage means colleagues can earn a decent living without having to work really long hours.”
