Supporting people and communities doesn’t just come from what your business does; real impact should start from inside your organisation. That’s why Biological Preparations is proud to announce that we are now officially certified as a Living Wage Employer.
Backing Our People, Strengthening Our Community
Although the Biological Preparations team can be found across the UK, our home is in South Wales. Here, 15.8% of jobs still pay less than people need to get by, with 199,000 roles falling below the real Living Wage.
As a business committed to improving lives and the local environment, we made a conscious decision when opening our factory to work in an area of Caerphilly that had been labelled Wales’s poorest estate. From day one, we’ve worked to support local people and the economy by creating and sustaining well-paid jobs. Jobs that don’t just offer a source of income but provide a real Living Wage. That means helping people meet their needs, live with dignity, and enjoy a decent standard of living.
Now, after years of voluntarily paying above the government’s national minimum, we’ve taken the next step and have been officially accredited as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage Foundation.
The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on the cost of living. It’s reviewed annually to reflect what people need to cover the basics, from energy bills to weekly food shops. It gives employers confidence they’re doing the right thing, not just the legal minimum.
“At Biological Preparations, being a real Living Wage Employer is a core part of our commitment to our People, and an investment in the long-term strength of our business. Paying the real Living Wage enhances employee wellbeing, reduces staff turnover, and reinforces our belief that shared success starts with fair and dignified work. We’re proud to be among the first businesses in the Caerphilly area to achieve this accreditation, and believe it sets a positive example for how companies can support their people and their local communities.” Colin Davis, Chief Financial Officer, Biological Preparations.
“We’re delighted that Biological Preparations has joined the movement of over 16,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on. They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Biological Preparations, believe that everyone needs to be able to live with dignity and have a decent standard of living." Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation,
What is the real Living Wage?
Unlike the government’s National Minimum Wage, the real Living Wage is the only UK rate independently calculated based on the actual cost of living, things like rent, food, and energy bills. It’s reviewed every year to reflect the true cost of everyday essentials, giving employers confidence they’re doing right by their people.
It applies to everyone aged 18 and over, because living costs don’t change based on age, and right now, the rates are £12.60 across the UK and £13.85 in London.
More than 16,000 employers have chosen to pay the real Living Wage voluntarily, helping deliver over £3.6 billion in pay rises to low-paid workers since the campaign began more than 20 years ago.
