Accredited employers must implement the new rate by 6 April 2027. Launched in 2018, the OLW aims to help workers cover the city's high living costs, being set at 95% of the London Living Wage.
This year, the Living Wage Foundation updated its calculation methodology, incorporating a new poverty threshold based on 60% of median income to better reflect the minimum acceptable standard of living for working households.
The OLW is a voluntary rate that employers can adopt to ensure their staff earn more than the statutory National Living Wage. The Council's recognition scheme supports employers in promoting livable earnings.
The Council celebrated reaching a milestone of 210 accredited OLW employers, the highest number since the initiative began. Organisations are encouraged to commit to the new rate to foster a fairer city.
“"This year, over 210 local organisations signed up to pay their staff at least the Oxford Living Wage. That means thousands more local people are now paid a fairer wage! “As we plan for 2027/278, I would absolutely encourage all current employers, and many others in the city, to commit to paying their staff the Oxford Living Wage and help to make this better and fairer city."
