Early Pay Rise Brings Festive Cheer to Eland Cables Staff
Workers at a UK cable manufacturer are receiving an early Christmas present this year, in the form of a pay rise implemented months ahead of schedule. Eland Cables, a company that supplies electrical cables for major infrastructure projects, has chosen to immediately introduce the new, higher Real Living Wage, well before the official May 2026 deadline.
What is the Real Living Wage?
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary pay rate for workers aged 18 and over, championed by the Living Wage Foundation. Unlike the statutory minimum wage, it is calculated based on the actual cost of essential items like food, clothing, and household bills. The new rates represent a significant increase, with the hourly pay outside London rising by 85p to £13.45 (a 6.7% increase) and the London rate increasing by 95p to £14.80 (a 6.9% increase).
A Welcome Boost for Employees
For the hundreds of employees at Eland Cables, the early implementation is a direct and welcome financial boost. Ben, a 34-year-old father-of-two from Doncaster who has worked at the company for several years, shared his appreciation.
"I think it’s brilliant. Everyone deserves fair pay, so I really welcome the move to reward us much earlier than next year’s deadline," Ben said. "The extra cash will help with general living expenses, and personally, with two young kids as we approach Christmas, it’s all welcome."
Driven by Fairness and Business Success
According to Eland Cables’ executive director, JS Pelland, the decision was driven by core principles of fairness and a clear business strategy. "We’ve always believed in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work," Mr Pelland stated. He explained that paying the Real Living Wage is central to the company's ESG and wellbeing strategy, and doing it early was "simply the right thing to do."
The company, which became a Living Wage signatory in 2021, brought all roles in-house, ensuring everyone receives the same package of benefits and the Living Wage Plus. This approach has yielded tangible results. Mr Pelland reported that staff retention now stands at an impressive 88% year on year, while sickness absence has dropped and productivity has climbed. This people-first strategy appears to be good for business, with the company's turnover skyrocketing from £107 million in 2020 to over £300 million in 2025.
The firm also champions internal promotion, with one notable example being a former site cleaner who worked their way up to become a shift manager. "People are more committed. They see the bigger picture and feel part of something," Mr Pelland added. "That builds consistency, quality, and trust, all essential in our line of work."
