London Ambulance Service recognised as Living Wage Employer

The London Ambulance Service has joined a group of top employers recognised as paying staff a wage that reflects the cost of living in the capital.

The accreditation by the Living Wage Campaign means every member of our staff – including those in our control rooms and those who prepare ambulances to go on the road – now earns more than the government’s minimum wage and receives an hourly minimum rate of £11.95.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, welcomed the development and said:

“I am delighted that the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust has become a London Living Wage Employer. LAS staff work tirelessly to keep us all safe and it is only right that they are paid fair wage for their efforts.

“I’m proud that since I became Mayor the number of accredited London Living Wage employers has more than quadrupled, and I’m determined to keep up this momentum. I hope other organisations will see LAS’ successful implementation of the living wage and be inspired to join us on our journey to build a better and fairer London for all.”

London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said:

“This is a significant achievement and I’m very proud we have achieved Living Wage employer status. Our staff are the biggest asset we have and it’s right we pay everyone a wage that reflects the additional costs of living in this city.”

The accreditation comes after a decision to make cleaning staff working under contract members of NHS staff. This means an increase in pay for around 90 people cleaning our headquarters, ambulance stations and other buildings to bring them in line with the London Living Wage.

Around 400 people working in the organisation’s Make Ready Service – the team of staff who work to re-stock, re-fuel ambulances before a shift – benefitted from a similar move last year.

The recognition makes LAS one of around 11,000 organisations to have voluntarily raised salaries as part of this scheme alongside employers like Google, Nationwide building society and Chelsea Football Club. Only a few NHS Trusts in the capital have achieved this accreditation.