YORKSHIRE Water and parent company Kelda has received formal Living Wage Foundation accreditation.

All eligible employees of the utility company including third-party contractors and suppliers will now be paid a minimum hourly wage of £7.85, rather than the national minimum wage of £6.50.

CEO Richard Flint said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Living Wage accreditation because ensuring all eligible employees are paid fairly is the right thing to do, whether they are our employees or third-party contractors.

“We are proud to be one of the region’s biggest employers and with that position comes the responsibility that our colleagues receive a fair wage for the important work that they do.”