Our Commitment to the Real Living Wage

At JetSpace we understand that the foundation of a thriving business, and indeed a vibrant local economy, lies in the wellbeing of its people. That’s why we are incredibly proud to announce our accreditation as a real Living Wage Employer through the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign. This commitment means we’re investing in our team, ensuring they can truly live and thrive, not just exist, right here in Brighton and Shoreham-by-Sea.

Beyond the Minimum: Why Fair Pay is the Right Foundation

The real Living Wage is fundamentally different from the government’s “National Living Wage.” While the “National Living Wage” is a statutory minimum, essentially a re-labelled national minimum wage, it isn’t rigorously calculated based on the actual cost of living.

In contrast, the real Living Wage, championed by the Living Wage Foundation and locally by the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign, is independently calculated annually to reflect what individuals genuinely need to afford a decent standard of living. As of its latest update in Brighton, this means a rate of £12.60 per hour or an annual salary of £24,570. For JetSpace, adopting this rate is an ethical statement: it’s about tackling in-work poverty and ensuring all our staff can afford the essentials like housing, food and heating, enabling them to live with dignity.

A Smart Investment: The Business Case for the Real Living Wage

While the moral imperative is clear, the decision to become a real Living Wage employer also makes powerful business sense. Companies that adopt the real Living Wage consistently report significant, tangible benefits:

• Boosted Productivity and Enhanced Service: When our team members are fairly compensated, they are more motivated, engaged and focused. This translates directly into higher quality service for the local businesses that rely on our office spaces. Research has shown firms consistently report improved service and higher productivity rates after moving to the real Living Wage.

• Reduced Staff Turnover and Absenteeism: A common challenge for many businesses, high turnover and absenteeism are significantly mitigated by fair pay. A study on the London Living Wage found an average 25% reduction in staff turnover, leading to “significant savings” by cutting recruitment and training costs. For most businesses this means a more stable, experienced and dedicated team providing consistent support to clients and customers.

• Strengthened Reputation and Morale: Being an accredited Living Wage employer enhances our reputation as an ethical and responsible business, both locally and beyond. 70% of employers in one previous study reported reputational benefits through increased consumer awareness and an overwhelming 93% of employers who adopted the real Living Wage reported overall business benefits, including better recruitment, retention and staff motivation. This commitment allows businesses participating to proudly display the Living Wage Employer Mark, signalling their dedication to the cause. As companies like Barclays, KPMG and Ikea have affirmed, it’s not just about corporate values, but “good business sense”.

Our Commitment to a Brighter Brighton & Shoreham

By partnering with the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign, JetSpace are one of over 900 local businesses doing more than just paying a wage; we are actively contributing to a stronger, more equitable local community. We are proud to commit to the campaign.

If you’d like to know more about the Brighton Real Living Wage campaign visit their website to find out how your business can get involved or just browse the list of firms who have already made the commitment and raised over 5,000 local salaries.