The Welsh capital hosted the prestigious Living Wage Champion Awards for the first time on the 11th of July 2024 – only the second time it has been held outside of London. The event was held at Techniquest and co-hosted by the Living Wage Foundation and the Living Wage Wales team from Cynnal Cymru, marking a significant milestone in Wales’ commitment to fair pay.

Welsh radio and television presenter Jason Mohammad hosted the event, and the Minister for Social Partnership Sarah Murphy and the Leader of Cardiff Council Huw Thomas were amongst those presenting awards.
Over 150 people from across the UK gathered in Cardiff to celebrate employers and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Living Wage movement.
The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate that is voluntarily paid by over 15,000 UK businesses (with more than 550 in Wales) who believe their staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs. The real Living Wage rates are currently £12 an hour across the UK, and £13.15 in London.
Several key awards were given to Welsh initiatives and groups. The Cardiff Living Wage City Steering Group and Action Team won the Local Champion Award for their successful campaigning for Cardiff as a Living Wage City. They have secured a real Living Wage for over 13,000 people in Cardiff through accredited employers, which has injected an additional £82.7 million into the local economy. The steering group and action team are made up of representatives from Cynnal Cymru, Citizens Cymru Wales, Cardiff Council, Ffair Jobs CIC, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff Third Sector Council, Food Cardiff, Cardiff and Vale Health Board, Cardiff and Vale Credit Union and FOR Cardiff. Other notable Welsh nominees included: Freshwater, Rubicon Facilities Management, Aria Care home, Wales Millenium Centre and Nuvolt Ltd.

“It’s wonderful to be recognised with a Local Champion award at the Living Wage Champions Awards ceremony in Cardiff and I want to thank everyone in the steering group for the part they play in advocating for the Living Wage in our city.”
Huw Thomas – Leader of Cardiff Council and chairman of the Cardiff as a Living Wage City Steering Group
“We’ve made great progress but still want to achieve much more. We aim to reach 300 accredited Living Wage employers in the city, employing 95,000 people over the next few years to ensure that more people are earning a fair wage for a fair day’s work.”
Two Special Awards were given to Mari Arthur (TeTrimTeas) and Ed Heery (Cardiff Business School) to recognise their contributions to the Living Wage for Wales movement over the years.

“Hosting the Living Wage Champion Awards in Cardiff this year has allowed us to recognise and celebrate the remarkable progress we’ve made in promoting a real Living Wage for Wales. The enthusiasm and commitment we’ve seen from not only Welsh, but UK wide employers, to end in-work poverty has been truly inspiring.”
Clare Sain-ley-Berry – Director of Cynnal Cymru | Sustain Wales
