Published 04/11/2024 | Last Updated 04/11/2024
Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru has marked the start of Living Wage Week by becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer. A few months since our launch by Welsh Government, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru is working to optimise the benefits to Wales from a portfolio of renewable energy projects to be developed across the Welsh Government Woodland Estate.
Our commitment to the Living Wage will see everyone working at Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru receive a minimum hourly wage of £12.60, higher than the statutory minimum for over 21s, which currently stands at £11.44 per hour, rising to £12.21 from April 2025.
In Wales, more than a tenth of all workers (12.9%) earn less than they need to get by, with around 161,000 jobs paying less than the real Living Wage. Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru’s commitment to paying the real Living Wage ensures we deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work.
The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the statutory minimum. Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to nearly half a million people and put £3.5 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.
Richard Evans, Trydan’s Chief Executive Officer said: “Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru is delighted to celebrate and showcase our Living Wage Accreditation. Our purpose is to build value for the people of Wales over the long term, and to contribute to accelerating a fair and just energy transition, where renewable energy will give Wales the power to prosper. Of course, that starts with our employees.”
“Wales’, and the UK renewable energy sector is one which offers quality, future-facing jobs to its workers, and we encourage others in our industry to join us in displaying this commitment with pride.”
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said: “Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru has been created to lead the way, not only on the development of large-scale renewable energy projects but also in how it delivers for communities across Wales.
“In setting such a strong example of what it means to be a socially responsible renewable energy developer, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru joins a small but growing number of Welsh energy organisations in making this commitment, delivering on its remit to exemplify excellent practice.”
Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills, and Social Partnership added: “It’s great news that Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru has committed to paying their workers the real Living Wage and has achieved accreditation for doing so. They join a growing band of real Living Wage employers in Wales.
“The Real Living Wage is a key baseline in providing workers with greater financial security and in helping to create fairer work. I hope many other organisations will follow the excellent example set by Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru in becoming a real Living Wage accredited employer.”
Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation said: “We’re delighted that Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru has joined the movement of over 15,000 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 such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay."
On the left: Simon Morgan with Cllr. Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council
On the right: Simon Morgan with Cllr. Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council
