UCL and the London Living Wage

Press release Following internal reviews, UCL today announced it will be working towards implementing the London Living Wage pay rates in the contracts with its outsourced suppliers as they fall due for review over the next couple of years, in common with some other higher education institutions in London.

UCL will be working with the relevant unions in the coming weeks to deliver an outcome based on today's commitment.

Following a meeting today with UCL staff and students, Professor Malcolm Grant, UCL President and Provost, said: "This is an important commitment for UCL, and one that comes at a time when we, along with the higher education sector as a whole, faces serious financial challenges. It is therefore something we have had to consider very carefully, while accepting the principled merits of the case put forward by the campaign.

"We will now be working with the unions to bring the new arrangements into place as effectively and efficiently as possible. It is also the case that to meet this commitment we will need to review how the service is currently provided. In addition, we shall be inviting all those who have supported the London Living Wage campaign and are also employers to join us in making a similar commitment. It is worth noting that not all of the organisations connected with this campaign are currently paying a living wage."

Media contact: Dominique Fourniol

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Notes to editors

UCL's lowest hourly rate of pay, its annual leave and sick pay entitlements and its relationship with its trade unions all exceed the requirements of the London Living Wage Campaign for directly employed staff. UCL considers itself a fair employer and benchmarks its rates of pay and conditions of employment against competitor organisations, in relation to which they are attractive.