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Liverpool make commitment to pay all workers Real Living Wage

Liverpool have announced plans for all workers to be paid the Real Living Wage as a minimum.

From the start of the next financial year in June 2018, casual workers at the club will be paid at least that level of wage, from which full-time staff already benefit.

The Real Living Wage is currently £8.45 for those outside London, although new rates are set to be announced on Nov. 6.

Last month, campaign group Citizen UK published a study that found stadium workers at 18 of the 20 Premier League clubs "are earning less despite the clubs having annual turnovers of hundreds of millions of pounds."

Liverpool's commitment comes following discussions with The Living Wage Foundation and Steve Rotherham, mayor of the Liverpool city region.

"We hope that this development demonstrates how highly we value all of those who work for Liverpool Football Club in whatever capacity that may be," CEO Peter Moore said in a statement.

"As a club, we have paid the national minimum wage at the higher rate only for many years, and in June we ensured that all directly employed staff were paid at least the Real Living Wage.

"By taking the next step, we are not adhering to an obligation -- we are doing it because we feel it is the right thing to do."

Rotheram said he was "delighted" that the club had taken the decision and praised them as "a responsible and progressive employer that respects and fairly rewards all its employees."

He added: "Their actions in this respect have set an example which others will hopefully now follow."