As part of Merton Council’s commitment to tackling the cost of living crisis, local businesses will be able to receive a Business Rates Grant to help them in signing up to be accredited living wage employers. This is the latest initiative in our efforts to make Merton a living wage borough – where everyone is earning at least the London Living Wage.

This Business Rates Grant will incentivise businesses to pay staff the London Living Wage which means staff earn enough to meet their everyday needs and enjoy life. Paying the London Living Wage has many proven benefits for employers too – including better staff retention and satisfaction, better quality of work, as well as lower employee absence.

The Business Rates Grant is being paid for by Merton Council’s Cost of Living Fund, which was recently increased by a further £1million to a total of £3million. The fund provides practical support and advice to people struggling to make ends meet, particularly those who are vulnerable and on a low income.

Businesses are also being impacted by the cost of living, and this grant aims to help them and their staff at the same time.

Merton Council has been paying the living wage since 2013, and became living wage accredited in 2023. Almost 40 businesses in Merton have already become accredited living wage employers – publicly showing their commitment to the London Living Wage. Our hope is that through this new Business Rates Grant we can encourage many more local businesses to join us in becoming accredited living wage employers.

Details of the grant will be shared with businesses in the New Year.

Deputy Leader Councillor Eleanor Stringer said:

“We believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – and that has never been more important than during this cost of living crisis. That’s why I’m delighted that Merton will be launching a Business Rates Grant to encourage local businesses to become living wage accredited employers.  

“Our ambition is for Merton to become a living wage borough – where everyone earns at least the London Living Wage. That means getting more local businesses to become accredited living wage employers, but we know times are tough for businesses too. That’s why this scheme aims to benefit both employers and their staff alike.”

Keep up to date

If you’re a business in Merton, head to the council’s website to sign up to the business e-newsletter for more information on our new business rates discount scheme which will be launched in 2024. You can sign up here.