News from Zack Polanski: Give NHS staff London Living Wage, says Green AM

Everyone working at NHS trusts should be paid the London Living Wage, says Zack Polanski AM.

In a letter to all acute NHS trusts in London, Zack asked for assurances that they were paying the London Living Wage to all their staff, including contractors such as cleaners, caterers and porters. [1]

It comes off the back of the motion Zack successfully passed at the June 2021 London Assembly Plenary, during Carers Week. [2]

In the motion, Zack asked the Mayor to write to London councils urging them to pay care workers who are both contractors and directly employed, the London Living Wage and now he is asking for the same for NHS staff.

Constituents, particularly from the health and care work sector, have written to Zack and told him who they were struggling to continue to live and work in London because they were not being paid enough to cover basic necessities like childcare, travel and rent.

Zack’s letter said:

“The coronavirus crisis has been tough on the health and care sector, but I am sure you would agree that the people who work for you, both staff and contractors, are valued members of your organisation and their hard work should be rewarded with a wage they can live on.

“We must do better as a society to support those who support us. Healthcare workers are making an enormous sacrifice and are key in our recovery from this pandemic.”

Zack also offered the trusts his support and backing as a London Assembly Member.

The London Living Wage is currently set at £10.85 an hour. It is calculated each year by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission to reflect the high cost of living in London. [3]