The Living Wage Policy of the Methodist Church

In 2010 the Methodist Conference agreed that the rates of the Living Wage, as published by the Living Wage Foundation, should form the minimum basic salary for people employed by a district, circuit or a local church. This policy also includes young people below the age of 18

The resolution of the 2015 Conference confirmed that the implementation of the Living Wage (based on LWF rates) is now mandatory in all but the most extreme and exceptional circumstances and that all outstanding exceptions must continue to be reviewed by the appropriate District Policy Committee.

In practice this means that districts, circuits and local churches are required to ensure that the Living Wage is a minimum that is paid to lay employees throughout the Connexion.

The rates are agreed upon by the Connexional Allowances Committee (CAC) on an annual basis.  As long as Lay Employees’ salaries are based on this pay scale, any subsequent uplift to the pay scale on a yearly basis will be the decision of relevant budget holders. 

There is no mechanism for increments or uplifts to this scale other than adjusting the amount for the Living Wage.  Each church can apply its own cost of living increase according to affordability and sustainability. 

The Living Wage Foundation Pay Rates from 24 October 2023

£12.00 per hour in all regions (including Scotland)

£13.15 per hour in London   

For practical information on implementing the Living Wage please see the Guidance on Setting a Salary for Lay Employees.