Exploring whether Cardiff Capital Region could become a Real Living Wage place

The project was delivered against the context of CCR developing a new poverty strategy and exploring practical interventions to address in-work poverty across South East Wales. While Cardiff had already achieved recognition as a Real Living Wage City through the Living Wage Foundation, regional partners were keen to understand whether the model could be extended across the wider Cardiff Capital Region and what this would require in practice.

The study combined strategic evidence review, comparative analysis and stakeholder engagement to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with promoting the Real Living Wage across the region. Wavehill undertook a structured desk-based review, beginning with an assessment of the existing research evidence on the benefits, risks and wider implications of Real Living Wage adoption. This was complemented by a review of recognised Real Living Wage places across the UK to understand the different delivery models, governance arrangements and approaches used to drive employer engagement.

Alongside this, we mapped key stakeholders across the public, private and third sectors in South East Wales who could play a role in supporting or championing a regional Real Living Wage approach.
Building on this evidence base, we identified a shortlist of comparator areas and conducted a series of interviews to explore their experiences in greater depth. This resulted in a range of case studies of other Real Living Wage places, examining delivery models, good practice, implementation challenges and lessons learned. To test the relevance and feasibility of these approaches within the South East Wales context, we worked with CCR to engage regional stakeholders, with interviews being undertaken across organisations that could influence, support or help deliver a future regional initiative.

The findings from the desk review, stakeholder engagement and comparator case studies have been brought together in a policy paper and presentation for CCR. The work will provide an evidence-based assessment of the feasibility of developing Cardiff Capital Region as a recognised Real Living Wage place, alongside practical recommendations to inform the development of CCR’s emerging poverty strategy and future actions to tackle in-work poverty across the region.