Staff working at two extra care services in Merton are set to be paid the London Living Wage under a renewed contract approved by Cabinet.

Merton Council is proud to be an accredited Living Wage employer, and we’re highlighting our commitment to make sure the council’s suppliers pay the living wage, too.

Under the contract, the provider for Pantiles House and Trellis House Extra Care and Housing Related Support Services will pay the London Living Wage as a minimum to all staff, from care and support staff to activities’ co-ordinators.

The services support approximately 80 older residents in the borough, operating 24 hours a day, every day of the year including Bank Holidays. They provide a higher level of care and assistance for residents who may have specific needs or vulnerabilities but wish to live independently in their own flats with care and support on site. 

The recommissioning of the service is an opportunity to introduce the London Living Wage into the contract which will bring it in line with Merton Council’s Homecare Framework, under which all extra care workers in our borough are paid the London Living Wage.  

Merton Council has been paying the London Living Wage to staff since 2013 but we’re making sure suppliers pay the living wage too, so all those who work directly or indirectly for the council will receive the rate.

To achieve this, we’ve set aside over £7 million to update the terms of our contracts as they come up for renewal over the next five years.

Councillor Peter McCabe, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said:

“When Merton Council became an accredited Living Wage employer in February 2023, we set out a plan to make sure companies providing a service to the council, or on our behalf, would also pay the living wage when contracts came up for renewal. This contract is in line with this policy.”

“Paying the London Living Wage is morally the right thing to do, to help staff cover their costs and survive the cost of living crisis.”

Merton’s Living Wage Champion Councillor Billy Hayes said:

“Paying the living wage under this plan puts money in the pockets of staff who work indirectly for the council including carers, cleaners, security and catering workers.

“It is so important economically but also morally that people are paid well, and particularly during the cost of living crisis.

“I want to encourage other organisations and businesses to pay the living wage and become accredited employers. Together we can make a difference to the lives of many people in Merton.”