Horizon Care, based in Rotherham, has reaffirmed its commitment to fair pay by continuing its accreditation as a real Living Wage Employer. The move means all employees at the care provider will receive a minimum hourly wage of £13.45, higher than the Government's National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over.
Low pay continues to affect thousands of workers across Yorkshire and Humber, with health and social care among the sectors most affected. Across the UK, an estimated 4.4 million jobs were paid below the real Living Wage in 2025.
The real Living Wage is independently calculated based on the true cost of living, including essentials such as housing, food, energy, and travel. Unlike the government minimum wage, it is voluntary and chosen by employers who want to go further in supporting their workforce. A full-time worker paid the real Living Wage outside London earns around £1,400 more per year than someone paid the Government's National Living Wage.
Emma Reeve, Interim Managing Director at Horizon Care, said:
"I have spent my career in social care because I believe the sector has the power to genuinely change lives. But that only works if the people delivering that care are treated with the same dignity and respect we ask them to extend to others. Paying the real Living Wage is one of the most direct ways an organisation can demonstrate what it actually stands for. It says: we see you, we value you, and we are serious about this work. That matters to me personally, and it matters to Horizon Care."
Reeve added: "Social care is an incredibly rewarding profession, but it can also be demanding, emotional, and challenging. Our teams give so much of themselves every day to support others to live happy, fulfilling lives. We believe fair pay is not just important for recruitment and retention—it's about recognising the professionalism, empathy, and commitment that care work requires."
Horizon Care joins thousands of accredited Living Wage Employers across the UK who are helping to raise standards and improve financial wellbeing for workers and their families.
