ARSENAL is to apply for London Living Wage accreditation after its advisory board resolved to pay all match day staff – both agency workers and those working in-house – at least £11.95 an hour.

The London Living Wage is calculated by an independent body to reflect the high cost of living in the capital.

The national minimum wage is set by the government and currently stands at £9.50 for those over 23.

This decision comes after a long-standing campaign by the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) to see all Arsenal workers receive the boosted pay rate.

AST board member Tim Payton said: “This is very welcome news, it’s something we’ve called for for a long time.

“Everyone at Arsenal is part of the family and especially in a cost of living crisis it’s important that those who look out for us, those who steward us and provide food and drink get a living wage.”

London Living Wage accreditation requires a company to pay both its in-house and agency staff an increased rate for their labour.

“The reason this took a really long time to sort out is that it covers all contractors. One big one is Delaware [North] who employ staff to provide food and drink,” Mr Payton said.

“Most lower-paid staff are cleaners and caterers who are paid through contractors.”

According to Mr Payton, all contractors have “done an arrangement with Arsenal” to ensure their agency workers are paid the London Living Wage at the football ground.