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North Ayrshire Council Adopts New Real Living Wage Early

Council staff to receive the increased £14.10 hourly rate from today, six months ahead of the official May 2027 deadline.

Generic image of a hand holding a Scottish ten-pound note, with a blurred council building in the background and a calendar showing October.
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Generic image of a hand holding a Scottish ten-pound note, with a blurred council building in the background and a calendar showing October.

North Ayrshire Council has reaffirmed its commitment to staff by adopting the new Real Living Wage rate of £14.10 per hour from today, 15 October 2026, six months ahead of the official May 2027 deadline.

The Council, which has paid the real Living Wage for 15 years, made the decision to implement the increased rate immediately following its announcement. The new rate, calculated by the Resolution Foundation, reflects the income needed for a decent standard of living in the UK, considering costs such as childcare, transport, heating, and housing.
The real Living Wage movement has supported approximately 72,000 people in Scotland with pay rises since 2011, injecting over £680 million into the pockets of low-paid workers across the country. In North Ayrshire, more than 50 employers are accredited with Living Wage Scotland.
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"We are delighted to confirm this well-deserved increase to the Real Living Wage for our dedicated employees. Our staff are the backbone of our communities, delivering essential services day in and day out, and it is only right that their hard work is met with fair and equitable financial recognition. In these challenging economic times, we believe it is our moral and social duty to ensure that no one working for this council struggles to make ends meet. The early introduction of the new rate reflects our unwavering commitment to championing fair pay and tackling in-work poverty across North Ayrshire. By setting a strong benchmark as a responsible employer, we hope to lead by example and encourage other local organisations to prioritise the wellbeing and financial security of their workforce."

Councillor Tony Gurney · North Ayrshire Council Leader
This announcement is expected to positively impact 822 Council employees, predominantly in frontline roles. Living Wage Week is scheduled to run from November 9 to 15, 2026.
Based on information from the official source: North Ayrshire Council (15/10/2026)

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