Living wage week: supporting staff on lower wages

Living Wage Week serves as a timely reminder of the financial challenges faced by employees earning below the Real Living Wage. In 2024, approximately 15.7% of jobs in the UK were classified as low-paid, meaning they offered wages below the Real Living Wage, which was set at £12.60 per hour for the UK and £13.85 in London Financial Times.

While the National Living Wage (NLW) has increased to £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over as of April 2025 Employment Hero, many employees still find their earnings insufficient to cover the rising costs of living. The cost of living crisis continues to impact households, with inflation affecting essential goods and services, making it increasingly difficult for lower-wage workers to make ends meet Wikipedia.

At BHN Extras, we recognise these challenges and offer a range of employee benefits designed to support financial wellbeing and help staff make their money go further.

Supporting Sustainable and Affordable Travel: Cyclescheme

One way employers can help is by reducing everyday expenses. Through Cyclescheme, employees can acquire a new bike and accessories via salary sacrifice, spreading the cost over monthly payments.

• Employees can save up to 47% on their bike, while employers save up to 15% on National Insurance Contributions.

• Beyond the financial benefit, it supports sustainable commuting and encourages an active, healthy lifestyle.

Making Essential Purchases More Affordable: Home & Tech

Technology and household essentials can be significant expenses, especially for employees on lower pay. Home & Tech provides discounts on items like laptops, appliances, and smart gadgets, helping staff stretch their income further and access tools that improve their daily lives.

Managing Everyday Spending: Byond & Discounts

Budgeting and saving on everyday purchases is another area where employees can feel pressure. Tools like bYond, a cashback card, allows employees to earn cashback and rewards on essential spending, while our discounted gift cards offer savings on groceries, retail, and leisure. Together, these benefits help employees increase their disposable income without any extra effort.

Supporting Cost-Effective Mobility: Green Car Benefit

For employees who commute by car, the Green Car Benefit provides access to low-emission vehicles via salary sacrifice. This reduces the financial burden of vehicle costs while promoting environmentally-friendly commuting, benefiting both employees and the organisation.

Supporting Health and Wellbeing: MyGymDiscounts

Financial stress is closely linked to wellbeing. Through MyGymDiscounts, employees can access discounted gym memberships and wellness activities, promoting physical health and reducing stress, essential for staff managing tighter budgets.

Building a Culture of Care

Supporting employees on lower wages is not just about pay; it’s about creating a culture of support and financial empowerment. By offering benefits that reduce everyday costs and improve wellbeing, employers show that they understand the challenges staff face and value their contribution.

How BHN Extras Can Help

At BHN Extras, we partner with organisations to design benefits programmes that make a real difference for employees. From salary sacrifice schemes like Cyclescheme and the Green Car Benefit, to discounts on tech, gift cards, and wellness perks, our solutions help staff stretch their pay, feel supported, and improve financial wellbeing.

Supporting lower-paid employees during Living Wage Week and beyond isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s an investment in engagement, retention, and a positive workplace culture.