Churches across Devon will be encouraged to pay the Living Wage to all employees, after members of diocesan synod – the governing body of the Church of England in Devon – agreed to sign up to the campaign.
The motion was brought forward by clergy and lay people in Plymouth and was debated in the presence of Dame Suzi Leather, who praised the Church for taking the step, which she described as an important one.
Martyn Goss, of the Diocese of Exeter, said: "This is a really encouraging decision which brings the Church of England in Devon in line with other churches in Britain who already support the Living Wage campaign.
"It means in future all jobs associated with the diocese should be paying at least £7.65 per hour to those it employs, whether in the parishes, schools or church offices.
"The move also supports actions by other employers in Devon and local groups such as the North Devon Living Wage campaign, which experiences some of the lowest pay in the country."
The Archbishop of York chaired the Living Wage commission which concluded this summer after a year of taking evidence. It recommended that the government introduce a living wage higher than the current minimum wage gradually, so by 2020 one million more workers in low pay sectors earn the living wage.
