The Living Wage (£7.65 as of February 2014) ensures that individuals are able to support themselves and their families by enabling them to be able to afford household essentials. Paying staff a Living Wage is also beneficial to employers, as research has shown an increase in productivity and a decrease in absenteeism.

As a leading academic institution, Durham University also has a responsibility to be an ethical employer and to support the local community. Durham University has a moral obligation to pay its workers a wage they can live on.