Laing O’Rourke awarded the real Living Wage accreditation

Laing O’Rourke has received the Real Living Wage accreditation for its continued commitment to pay its people above the national minimum wage.

The real living wage is voluntarily paid by more than 12,000 UK businesses who believe their people deserve a salary which meets everyday needs.

Laing O’Rourke’s Business Unit Leader, Tom Higgins, said: “While we’ve been paying the real living wage for some time, it was important that we secured accreditation.

“It gives our clients assurance the work they’re awarding is going to a contractor which pays fairly, while also giving us the opportunity to attract more talent into the business.

“It is proof that we are living up to our values of integrity and care, and I’m incredibly proud we have been awarded the accreditation.

To be accredited Laing O’Rourke needed to show that it and all its supply chain were meeting the real living wage.

The accreditation was welcomed by Manchester City Council, a repeat client of Laing O’Rourke’s and which has recently been accredited as a real living wage city.

Deputy Leader at Manchester City Council, Cllr Joanna Midgley, said: “We are very pleased that Laing O'Rourke is formally accredited as a Real Living Wage employer.

“We have worked with LOR for many years, most recently on the iconic Factory Project where Laing O'Rourke provided a wide range of education, apprenticeship and employment opportunities for Manchester residents. We are committed to more of our residents earning the Living Wage or above as part of our approach to tackling poverty.

“Laing O'Rourke has supported Manchester to become an accredited Living Wage City and we would encourage more of our employers to join LOR and 200+ other employers in the city on that journey and thank them for their commitment.”

Clive Memmott of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce also spoke of the positives this accreditation will have on the sector and the country’s economic growth.

He said: “Laing O’Rourke is providing a great example and real leadership to the sector by committing to, and achieving, Real Living Wage accreditation.

“This also sends a powerful message to anyone who’s considering a career in construction. This has never been more important than now as we must attract significantly more people to the sector by offering secure, decently paid jobs that offer real progression. The alternative is long term labour shortage which will restrict both the sector’s and the country’s economic growth.”