Norwich Theatre Royal has become a Real Living Wage employer

Norwich has been designated as a 'Living Wage City' by the Living Wage Foundation, with the city council having a three-year plan to significantly expand the number of employers paying the Real Living Wage.

As of April 1, the government's National Living Wage is £10.42 per hour for workers aged 23 and over, with 21 and 22-year-olds on a minimum wage of £10.18, 18 to 20-year-olds on £7.49 and under-18s and apprentices on at least £5.28.

However, the Real Living Wage is calculated based on the cost of living and calls for businesses to sign up to pay those 18 and above at least £10.90 per hour, or £11.95 in London.

As of April 1, the National Living Wage is £10.42 per hour for workers aged 23 and over (Image: PA)

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By signing up, this will mean Norwich Theatre awarding an average pay award of 10.3pc across eligible employees and a 14.7pc increase for variable-hour employees currently earning the National Living Wage.

It joins a brigade of businesses paying the rate, to its Theatre Royal and Playhouse staff, following unanimous approval from its board of trustees.

Others in the Norwich Living Wage City Action Group include Norwich City Council, Aviva, Future Projects and Broadland Housing Association.

Stephen Crocker, chief executive and creative director of Norwich Theatre (Image: Dave Guttridge The Photographic)

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Norwich Theatre's chief executive and creative director, Stephen Crocker, said: "I can honestly say that few milestones and achievements have brought me more joy than being able to achieve Real Living Wage status for our dedicated staff.

"By this point in our strategy and post-Covid recovery and in an economic climate, the financial wellbeing of our people has never been more important."

Norwich Theatre Royal (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Norwich City Council leader, Alan Waters, said: "The news that one of our key cultural institutions is to become a Real Living Wage Employer is tremendous news and a significant boost to the campaign to ensure everyone across Norwich gets a decent wage."

Cllr Alan Waters (Image: Archant)