Real Living Wage increase announced
The Living Wage Foundation announced this week that the Real Living Wage, a wage calculated on the real cost of living, is increasing from £12.60 to £13.45 per hour of work. Living Wage Accredited Employers will have until 1st May 2026 to implement this change.
The Scottish Government’s Fair Work First policy requires that organisations which receive Scottish Government funding must pay their workers at least the Real Living Wage. As we are a distributor of Scottish Government funding through our Grants programme, we can only award grants to organisations that pay at least the Real Living Wage. Organisations will need to implement the increase in the Real Living Wage by 1st May 2026 to remain eligible for MGS grants.
Museums Galleries Scotland is proud to be a Living Wage Accredited Employer, and we know that the museum sector is supportive of the Real Living Wage too. Although it can pose big short-term challenges for museum organisations, paying the Real Living Wage leads to greater long-term sustainability and is important for unlocking funding.
Our Museum Futures programme can support museums to achieve the Real Living Wage. We can make limited exceptions to enable these museums to access Museum Futures funding. These exceptions will be dependent on applicants clearly demonstrating that the funding will support them to begin paying the Real Living Wage within two years.
The Living Wage Foundation has more information about the Real Living Wage. If you have any questions about Fair Work First eligibility for MGS grants, please contact our Grants team.
