This project brought together the academic and research expertise of Cardiff Business School and the policy development and impact expertise of the Bevan Foundation to address the issue of low pay in Cardiff city region.

The project involved:

• investigation of the prevalence of low pay based on ONS statistics
• identification of the impact of low pay on the area’s potential development drawing on the findings of other studies
• review of current activity to promote the Living Wage in the Cardiff Capital Region
• development of policy recommendations based on the conclusions of the research
• promotion of those recommendations to stakeholders and decision makers.

The findings provided a valuable evidence base for Cardiff Capital Region, including informing written and oral evidence submitted by the Bevan Foundation to Cardiff Capital Region’s Commission on Growth and Competitiveness.

The Bevan Foundation has recommended that the Assembly’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee scrutinise the Living Wage in Cardiff City Region, and will submit the recommendation that action be taken to increase take-up of the Living Wage to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure’s consultation on priorities.

In addition, the findings are informing associated research and policy work in progress by the Bevan Foundation, notably a strategy to reduce poverty in Wales with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

A final report was launched at a half-day conference held in Cardiff City Hall on 8 July 2016, alongside the final report on the Living Wage in Wales.

Speakers included the lead officer from the Scottish Living Wage Campaign, senior Welsh trade union officials, chief executives from two major Living Wage employers, and community campaigners. The event was attended by 55 delegates, including senior officers from Welsh Government, Care Council for Wales, FSB Wales, housing associations and political parties.