OXFORD City Council has been shortlisted for an award for its commitment to paying the living wage to its workers.

The authority has been nominated for the Living Wage Champion 2014 award for the South East of England.

The award – which is run by the Living Wage Foundation – recognises employers that have voluntarily committed themselves to pay a higher minimum wage, which in Oxford is set as £8.36.

Council leader Bob Price said: “The city council has set an Oxford Living Wage that is indexed to the London Living Wage, reflecting the similar effects of high housing and transport costs on the cost of living.

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“The council also requires its contractors to observe this minimum wage level.

“The council believes that the living wage makes a major contribution to tackling poverty and deprivation and has campaigned with all other major employers in the city to establish it as a city-wide level of minimum pay.”

Living Wage Foundation director Rhys Moore said: “I would like to send huge congratulations to Oxford City Council on being shortlisted for the Living Wage Champion Awards.

“The commitment of Living Wage Employers to responsible pay makes a real difference to families and communities across the country. We look forward to celebrating this even further when announcing the winners of the awards during Living Wage Week.”

The winner will be announced early next month.

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