Living Wage Week 2026

Dundee City Council is marking Living Wage Week once again, celebrating the importance of fair pay across the city and welcoming a new employer to the Dundee Living Wage family.

Living Wage Week aims to raise awareness of the Living Wage movement and encourage more businesses to commit to fair pay by becoming accredited Living Wage employers. The Living Wage flag has been raised at the City Chambers to officially start the week in Dundee.

Recently it was announced that there will be a 4.8% rise in the real Living Wage making the new rate £14.10, a 65p increase. There are currently 117 Living Wage accredited employers headquartered in Dundee collectively employing over 43,000 thousand workers. 

Joining the accredited employers this year is Signpost International SCIO, a community development charity working locally and internationally to tackle poverty and inequality. Their work focuses on food security, sustainable livelihoods, access to clean water and sanitation and global citizenship, supporting individuals and communities to build brighter, more sustainable futures.

City Growth and Infrastructure Convener Steven Rome is formally welcoming Signpost International SCIO to the Dundee Living Wage Family during the week.

He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Signpost International SCIO to the Dundee Living Wage Family. Given the fantastic work they do supporting individuals and communities, it’s particularly encouraging to see their commitment to fair work and creating a fairer Dundee.”

Jamie Morrison, Signpost International CEO, said: "As an organisation that places a high value on equity and ensuring people everywhere are able to earn a decent income sufficient for their needs, it is only right that we, as a minimum, pay our employees the living wage. This accreditation demonstrates that commitment and we are proud to be involved in marking this Living Wage week and raising awareness around the importance of paying fair wages to all."

Dundee is now home to six Living Hours employers: Henson Projects, Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau, Carolina House Trust, Social Security Scotland, LINK East Fife Mental Health Befriending Project and Vascular Flow Technologies, based at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP). The latter has now become Dundee’s first Living Pension employer, achieving triple accreditation and further demonstrating the city’s commitment to promoting fair work and improving financial wellbeing for employees.

Vascular Flow Technologies, along with Change Centre Dundee, will represent the city at the Living Wage Scotland Awards 2026, which take place on Thursday 12 November in Glasgow’s Riverside Museum. The awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Living Wage movement. Change Centre Dundee has been nominated in the Local Champion Award category for their work supporting individuals and communities and making a positive difference locally, while Vascular Flow Technologies is nominated in the Social Impact Award category, recognising their commitment to responsible business practices and creating positive change.

Councillor Rome visited both organisations ahead of Living Wage Week. He added: “It’s fantastic to see Change Centre Dundee and Vascular Flow Technologies recognised at the Living Wage Scotland Awards. Both organisations make a valuable contribution to our city, and their nominations highlight the positive impact that local employers and organisations can have through their commitment to fairness, opportunity and improving people’s lives. I wish them the very best of luck.”

Despite the challenges facing businesses across the country, including the ongoing cost-of-living pressures and wider global uncertainties, Dundee continues to see organisations committing to fair work and achieving Living Wage accreditation. The Living Wage Action Group has met regularly over the past year to strategically plan next steps, share updates and explore opportunities to encourage more local employers to join the movement.

Councillor Rome, who co-chairs the group, said: “It’s encouraging to see more Dundee organisations recognised for their commitment to fair work. The Living Wage Action Group will continue to support local employers and help more businesses take that important step towards accreditation.”

Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said: "The real Living Wage is independently calculated and rooted in the cost of living. More than 4000 employers in Scotland have committed to this voluntary standard because it's doing right by their workers as well as delivering business benefits. 

“When more workers are paid the real Living Wage, this creates extra spending to benefit the local economy too. That's why more employers want to play their part in making Dundee a Living Wage City, so that workers, their families, communities and businesses in Dundee can thrive together."

More information about the ‘Making Dundee A Living Wage Living City’ campaign as well as contact details for the action group can be found on the council’s website.

You can keep up with what is happening for Living Wage Week 2026 on the council’s social media accounts.

All events happening in Scotland for Living Wage Week 2026 can be found on the Scottish Living Wage website.