From November 2024 the Real Living Wage (RWL) hourly minimum increased to £12.60 per hour. Whilst this is a positive move, it has also presented us with some challenges, primarily pay compression within the University salary scale structures, particularly in the lower grades.  

This is a nationally recognised issue and not unique to us, but in order to address it, we are pleased to announce that we have decided to implement a Loughborough Real Living Wage supplement to spine points F06 to F18 for 2025/26, creating a 1.1% pay differential to the take-home pay for staff on grades 1 to 4, effective from 1 April 2025.  Colleagues who will be impacted by these changes will be contacted by letter. 

This replaces the previous interim arrangements to compensate individuals in grades 2 and 3 with supervisory responsibilities, with a no-detriment principle to overall pay.

Further details about the Loughborough Real Living Wage, including the supplement table, can be viewed on our HR webpages. This will be reviewed on an annual basis and when the next national annual pay uplift is confirmed.

This decision to address lower-pay spine compression, working closely with our Trade Union colleagues, seeks to demonstrate our strong commitment to our staff and show a genuine appreciation for their contributions.