Paramount boosts wages at Devon plant

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

Paramount is to offer the Living Wage to its employees
Paramount is to offer the Living Wage to its employees

Related tags frozen

Devon-based frozen food firm Paramount 21 has increased wages for workers at its Newton Abbot site by introducing the Living Wage, as it embarks on a £650,000 investment into its production capabilities.

The manufacturer will now pay its employees £9.50 per hour, a 6.6% increase to the current Government minimum for over 23s of £8.91 per hour.

Paramount’s founder and chairman Ali Hannaford (pictured) said: “It has always been of paramount importance to me and my team that each and every member of staff feel valued. The pandemic has shown everyone how volatile business and life can be, and the way we all pulled together through the most challenging of times was truly heart-warming.

‘Now was the time’

“Paramount’s Board have been discussing this for some time, but felt that now was the right time. A big thank you to everyone for all of their hard-work and continued efforts – we really do have a very special team.”

Paramount joins companies such as Frozen Brothers, Mackie’s of Scotland and Scottish Sea Farms as an accredited Living Wage Employer.

Laura Gardiner, director at the Living Wage Foundation added: “We’re delighted that Paramount has joined the movement of over 7,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the Government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.”

£650k investment

The manufacturer also announced that it was to invest £650,000 in expanding its production capabilities to match an increase in demand, thanks to the reopening of foodservice and hospitality as COVID-19 related lockdowns have been lifted.

Paramount are also currently recruiting for food production staff in both full and part time roles, with flexible shift patterns available.

Meanwhile, Fresh prepared foods producer Bakkavor is to recruit for 1,500 roles across its UK manufacturing base,​ after receiving a surge in demand as the nation re-emerged from lockdown.

Donna-Maria Lee, chief people office at Bakkavor, said: “It’s important we continue to invest in the communities where we do business and we hope our employment drive will help many families to rebuild their lives after more than a year of lockdown.”

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