Liverpool have become the latest Premier League club to pay their staff the Real Living Wage.
Anfield officials made the pledged following discussions with the Living Wage Foundation and the Liverpool City Region’s metro mayor Steve Rotheram.
From June 2018 all staff members will be paid an hourly rate of over £8.45, a figure which is set to increase with next week’s updated Real Living Wage rate.
Liverpool currently pay a minimum wage of £7.05 per hour and £7.50 for over-25s in accordance with the government’s Living Wage guidelines.
Since April this year, full-time staff have been paid the Real Living Wage but casual workers used by the club will now be brought in line with that.
“We hope that this development demonstrates how highly we value all of those who work for Liverpool Football Club in whatever capacity that may be,” said LFC chief executive, Peter Moore.
“During the course of our discussions with both Steve and the Living Wage Foundation we examined a range of issues but the intention of all involved, not least ourselves, was always the same – to reach an outcome which would be of greatest benefit to our workforce.
“We feel that today’s announcement shows that this objective has been achieved and we are grateful to Steve and the Living Wage Foundation for the roles they played in helping us to reach this point.
“Although the possibility existed for us to preside over a phased introduction of elements of the scheme we have opted instead to implement it in its entirety at the earliest possible opportunity in a further demonstration of our commitment to all of our employees.
“As a club, we have paid the national minimum wage at the higher rate only for many years and in June this year we ensured that all directly employed staff were paid at least the real living wage.
“By taking the next step, we are not adhering to an obligation, we are doing it because we feel it is the right thing to do.”
Steve Rotheram added: “As mayor of the Liverpool city region, I am delighted that Liverpool Football Club has taken this step and is now committed to becoming a Real Living Wage Employer.
“Not only does it show them to be a responsible and progressive employer that respects and fairly rewards all its employees, but their status as one of the world’s biggest football clubs means that their actions in this respect have set an example which others will hopefully now follow.
“I want our city region to be at the forefront of promoting fair employment and a socially just economy. It’s enormously pleasing that our Premier League football clubs share this aspiration.”
Everton and Chelsea were previously the only Premier League clubs to pay their staff a Real Living Wage.