More than 800 workers will see a 7.7 per cent pay rise as Cornwall Council becomes a Foundation Living Wage accredited authority.

The move will see workers across the Duchy receive an extra £10 million in their pay packets over the next four years with workers receiving £9 an hour compared to the UK’s minimum wage of £8.21. Now leaders at the council are urging other businesses across the Duchy to follow suit and start paying the enhanced wage for their lowest-paid staff.

The council started paying its directly employed staff the Foundation Living Wage rate in 2015. In order to gain accreditation, the scheme is being expanded to include the Council’s group of companies and contractors the authority directly employs.