Burberry raises pay rates early due to cost-of-living crisis

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Oct 20, 2022

Burberry has brought forward plans to raise the salaries of its staff by more than six months “to support colleagues this winter”.

The UK luxury fashion house wants to introduce new UK Real Living Wage pay rates, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF), well ahead of schedule . 

Burberry, which said it has been a UK Real Living Wage employer since 2016, has implemented the increased rates (from 1 October), ahead of the LWF deadline for accredited employers due on 14 May 2023. 

CEO Jonathan Akeroyd said: “Our priority is our people. We’re proud to implement the UK Real Living Wage early and hope that this, coupled with the policies and wellbeing programmes we already have in place, will help to alleviate some of the challenges our colleagues are facing.”

Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation, added: “We are delighted that Burberry is implementing the new real Living Wage rates with immediate effect. Burberry is a long-time supporter and champion of the real Living Wage movement and today’s announcement will make a massive difference.

"Burberry is one of 11,000 Living Wage employers across the UK who are committed to always doing right by their employees by paying a wage based on the real cost of living.”

The company becomes one of a number of businesses taking steps to boost employee finances this year with initatives at some also including the provision of free meals.