A SOUTH Lakeland abuse support service has become a Living Wage employer.

Springfield's commitment will see everyone working at the charity receive a minimum hourly wage of £10.90.

According to the Live Wage Foundation, 12.5 per cent of jobs in the North West pay less than the real Living Wage.

CEO Tori O'Callaghan-Lake said: "We have chosen to become a real Living Wage employer as we believe that our employees deserve to be paid fairly for the work they do daily, supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse."

Katherine Chapman, director of Living Wage Foundation, added: “We’re delighted that Springfield has joined the movement of over 12,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the Government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on."

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to what people need to make ends meet.