Axminster Tools & Machinery has just been announced as the winner of the Living Wage Champion Awards 2016 for the South West region.

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The awards celebrate Living Wage employers who have made great contributions to communities and industries by implementing and recognising the life changing importance of the Living Wage.

This year Living Wage Week takes place from 30 October to 5 November. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the Living Wage and celebrate the leadership of Living Wage employers. Employers all over the UK take part in events and media activity to celebrate with their staff and with the wider community.

L to R: Harriet Searle, Nathan Ellis, Grant Jones, Alan Styles (Managing Director) with trophy, Maddie Edwards, Rachel Newton, Tom James and Fiona Gage.
L to R: Harriet Searle, Nathan Ellis, Grant Jones, Alan Styles (Managing Director) with trophy, Maddie Edwards, Rachel Newton,             Tom James and Fiona Gage.

Katherine Chapman, Director Living Wage Foundation said “Congratulations to Axminster Tools & Machinery on becoming a Living Wage Champion award winner. With 2600 employers now signed up, it is wonderful to have Axminster Tools leading the way in the South West. The leadership of responsible employers is making a profound difference to the lives of families and communities across the UK. Thank you very much for celebrating and championing the Living Wage in Axminster and East Devon.”

Warehouse Manager Phil Crabb said “The Living Wage makes good business sense to me. Our staff are happy and they feel valued. They like the sense of family culture where the Company looks out for its staff, supports them and recognises their efforts.”

It is reassuring to know that some employers support and put into practice the Living Wage. New payment levels were announced earlier today; the London rate goes up from £9.40 to £9.75 per hour and the rest of the UK from £8.25 to £8.45 per hour. These levels are reviewed annually and set by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University.

The Living Wage Foundation offers a recognition mark for employers who commit to paying the Living Wage. Axminster Tools & Machinery was accredited with the Living Wage status in 2014.

Axminster's HR team. L to R: Fran Cook (HR Manager), Jane Boulton (HR Director) and Sammy Barry (HR Administrator.
Axminster's HR team. L to R: Fran Cook (HR Manager), Jane Boulton (HR Director) and Sammy Barry (HR Administrator) with Axminster's Living Wage accreditation.