All Church of England (CofE) schools are set to gain living wage accreditation after a 'landmark' agreement between Unison, the UK's largest education union, and the National Society, which promotes and resources CofE schools.
The CofE's nearly 4,700 schools are already committed to paying the living wage, but this new implementation plan is expected to provide the means for all support staff to receive it by turning the schools into living wage employers.
The CofE says the schools are being given a step-by-step implementation plan produced by the union, covering directly employed and contract staff to help them gain living wage accreditation.
The agreement follows a motion that was passed by the General Synod, which recognised that 'the widening gap between rich and poor harms all of society and that paying a living wage lifts people out of poverty'. The General Synod agreed to strongly encourage all CofE institutions to pay at least the living wage, as recommended by Church Action on Poverty.
This year, Unison submitted evidence to the Low Pay Commission including testimonies from low-paid workers across the country, claiming that millions of families are struggling to cope on poverty wages, which the living wage would go some way to addressing.
The Archbishop of York and chair of the Living Wage Commission, Dr John Sentamu, said: 'Church of England schools were set up more than 200 years ago to serve the poor and marginalised and they have always been committed to treating staff and pupils fairly. This new agreement with Unison will reward schools with living wage accreditation for their commitment to treating staff fairly. It is an excellent initiative.'
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison said: 'I am delighted that Unison is working so closely with the National Society to encourage Church of England schools to pay the living wage. Times are tough and low-paid workers are struggling under the burden of rising prices for basics like food and fuel.'