Living Wage Places as a Strategic Governance Tool: Strengthening Local Economies and Challenging In-Work Poverty

The UK’s Real Living Wage (RLW) serves as a strategic governance tool that establishes a boundary between in-work poverty and wages that provide a basic standard of living. While individual employer accreditation has been widely studied, less attention has been given to Living Wage Places, a scheme that accredits towns and cities based on clusters of accredited employers. As the result of a project exploring the feasibility of Newport, Wales, becoming a Living Wage Place, we conducted a case study analysis, statistical data review and geo-demographic assessment to make recommendations. The study situates Living Wage Places within broader discussions on the moral economy, social responsibility, and strategic governance, highlighting their role in reinforcing wage fairness and reducing in-work poverty at a local level. By examining how Living Wage Places can serve as a governance tool, this paper contributes to discussions on wage policy, local economic resilience, and the institutionalisation of fair work practices.