Maximus UK was today accredited as a Living Wage Employer, committing to fair pay for colleagues, suppliers and partners.

The company, with nearly 4000 colleagues across England, Scotland and Wales, is among the first – and largest – government services providers to secure the accreditation.

Employees working for Maximus UK’s suppliers across the country will also benefit from today’s announcement, as the company undertakes to pay the real Living Wage across its network of suppliers and to put the real Living Wage at the heart of its procurement policies.

The commitment will ensure that all Maximus UK colleagues receive an hourly wage that is significantly higher than the government minimum for over 25s. The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living and provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on.

Dr Paul Williams, Division President of Maximus UK, said: “I’m incredibly proud that we have been accredited as a Living Wage Employer, following significant engagement across our business and supply chain. I’m also proud that we are leading our sector in ensuring fair rates of pay for all colleagues.

“While we have always been committed to paying our colleagues fairly, becoming a Living Wage Employer will allow us to take this commitment further by ensuring our commitment to a fair day’s wage extends beyond our own organisation and enables us to advocate a real Living Wage for our partners, supply chain and suppliers as well.”

Laura Gardiner, Director, Living Wage Foundation said: “We’re delighted that Maximus UK has joined the movement of 7,000 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. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Maximus UK, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”