GOSH announces pre-Christmas pay rise for lowest paid workers during London Living Wage event

21 Oct 2013, 5:51 p.m.

Jan Filochowski receives plaque

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) welcomed the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and more than a hundred high-profile employers this week as the Trust hosted the annual London Living Wage announcement.

The hospital signed up as a London Living Wage employer earlier this year, supporting the concept of offering its lowest paid workers an hourly rate that is significantly higher than the national minimum wage. The Trust’s new Living Wage status means it now also requires its external contractors, including catering and cleaning services, to observe the higher hourly rate for all members of staff.

The Mayor of London announced the new Living Wage rate for the capital today as £8.80 per hour, which stands alongside a national Living Wage rate of £7.65 an hour. Both hourly rates are significantly higher than the legal UK minimum wage of £6.31 per hour.

Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Chief Executive Jan Filochowski accepted a plaque acknowledging the Trust as a Living Wage employer during the event.

Boris Johnson speech London Living Wage

Mayor of London Boris Johnson

The Trust’s Director of HR, Ali Mohammed, also delivered a speech to the packed event, announcing that in addition to its new Living Wage status, the Trust will also move all staff currently on salary band 1 up to salary band 2 before Christmas as part of our improvement and valuing staff programme.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr Mohammed said:

“The London Living Wage is about fairness and investing in people. By signing up as a Living Wage employer this year we have demonstrated the value that we place in each and every person who works at Great Ormond Street, and the important role they play in creating the best possible experience for our patients and families.

“Our extra announcement today, that we are elevating all Trust staff currently on salary band 1 to band 2, will be welcome news to some of our lowest paid, but very hardworking, staff – particularly in the run-up to Christmas.”