THE Diocese of Bath and Wells has this weekend confirmed its commitment to the Living Wage.

At the meeting of the Bath & Wells diocesan synod on Saturday, March 21, clergy and laity from Anglican parishes across Somerset and the Bishops of Bath & Wells and Taunton voted overwhelmingly for a motion that ensures that all people directly employed by the diocese are paid the Living Wage.

The diocese will also encourage its parishes, which all operate autonomously, to adopt the Living Wage for all employees; seek to use contractors and service providers that pay the Living Wage and seek Living Wage accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation.

David Maggs, social justice adviser, said: “It’s important for us as the Church to show leadership on this issue.

“Too many people in Somerset are paid below the Living Wage and we want to help influence a change. “This vote demonstrates our clear commitment to the Living Wage.

“We’ve started with our direct employees who have all been paid the Living Wage since January this year.

“We’ll now be working with our parishes, helping them to consider the issues in the hope that they will be able to offer the same in future. But we recognise that it’s not something that can happen overnight.”