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The risk matrix : drug-related deaths in prisons in England and Wales, 2015–2020
Get PDFAims: This article explores the factors contributing to drug-related deaths in English and Welsh prisons between 2015-2020.
Methods: Based on content analysis of all Prison and Probation Ombudsman ‘other non-natural’ fatal incident investigation reports, descriptive statistics were generated. Qualitative analysis explored the circumstances surrounding deaths and key risk factors.
Results: Most deaths were of men, whose mean age was 39 years. Drug toxicity was a main factor in causing death, exacerbated by underlying physical health conditions and risk-taking behaviours. A variety of substances were involved. New psychoactive substances became more important over time. A high proportion had recorded histories of substance use and mental illness. During this period, the prison system was under considerable stress creating dangerous environments for drug-related harm.
Conclusion: This study highlights the process of complex interaction between substances used, individual characteristics, situational features and the wider environment in explaining drug-related deaths in prisons. Implications for policy and practice are discussed
Medical volunteers as accidental tourists: humanitarianism and the European refugee crisis
Get PDFThis article sheds light on the scarcely mentioned term ‘accidental tourists’ which refers to individuals who travel overseas for other purposes than leisure seeking, and actually engage in recreational and tourist activities after their arrival at the destination. In this regard, this exploratory study examines the experiences of medical volunteers as accidental tourists who provided primary healthcare assistance to refugees hosted in the VIAL refugee camp in Chios Island, Greece, during the European refugee crisis. Primary data were collected with the use of in-depth interviews and non-participant observation. The interview questions focused on medical volunteers’ tourist and recreational activities undertaken in Chios Island, as well as on their perceptions of the political aspects of humanitarian aid. The findings of this study indicate that medical professionals as accidental tourists placed emphasis on the stressful working environment, and tourism was merely a welcome side-effect. Additionally, the concept of accidental tourism is further elaborated regarding the theoretical implications of this study. Practical implications as well as policy recommendations for refugees’ individual autonomy are also discussed
Assessing asymmetries and predicting performance in semiprofessional soccer players
Get PDFThis study aimed to (a) detail the interlimb asymmetries during multi-directional jumping, change of direction and for ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and (b) determine how asymmetries and performance in multi-directional jumping and ankle dorsiflexion predict performance during change of direction tests. Twenty-two male semi-professional players completed a testing session which consisted of unilateral ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, vertical and horizontal unilateral and lateral countermovement jumps and left and right leg 90° (COD90L&R) and 180° (COD180L&R) change of direction tests. No significant differences between limbs were observed for any of the variables (P > 0.05), though vertical countermovement jump (11.1% ± 9.1%) and dorsiflexion range of motion (10.5% ± 10.3%) imbalances were greater than those during lateral (2.7% ± 2.2%) and horizontal (2.2% ± 1.9%) countermovement jumps, and 90° (3.6% ± 3.1%) and 180° change of direction (2.9% ± 3.6%). Subjects presented 3.4 ± 1.4 real asymmetries (i.e., one greater than the coefficient of variation) across the tests, with all subjects having at least one real asymmetry. Stepwise linear regression models explained a reasonable amount of variance in change of direction180R (70%), COD90L (57%), COD90R (39%), COD180L (23%) using the countermovement jump and dorsiflexion range of motion variables (P < 0.05). The current findings indicate that semi-professional soccer players have real bilateral asymmetries (particularly in countermovement jump and dorsiflexion range of motion), which practitioners should be cognizant of. Given the prediction value, change of direction performance can be predicted using performance and asymmetries during multi-directional jumping and ankle dorsiflexion
Reappraising Peter Warlock's An Old Song
No full textThis article explores the gestation and contexts of 'An Old Song' for small orchestra (1917) by Peter Warlock (1894-1930), including the influence of Delius, Bartok and early music, and the derivation of the Scottish folk song on which it is based. Structural analysis, poietic and hermeneutic elements are also provided, plus elements of performance history and potential
Early photographic work exhibited in 'Being There', No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath
No full textEarly photographic work from Billingham series 'Ray's a Laugh' was exhibited in 'Being There,' No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, UK, curated by Ingrid Swenson (14 September 2024 – 23 February 2025)
'Being There' featured four recently acquired Thomas Gainsborough portraits alongside 18 British contemporary artists working in portraiture today. The contemporary art was selected by guest curator Ingrid Swenson MBE.
The exhibition was the first in The Gallery at No.1 Royal Crescent’s new programme of contemporary art exhibitions.
The title 'Being There' invited visitors to reflect on the experience of artists and their sitters or subject in the act of making artwork, and to consider what similarities and differences there may be for the role of the artist in Gainsborough’s time and today.
Besides Billingham, other artists were Michael Armitage, Frank Auerbach, Sarah Ball, Glenn Brown, Brian Dawn Chalkley, Kaye Donachie, Paul Graham, Maggi Hambling, David Hockney, Claudette Johnson, Chantal Joffe, Lucy Jones, Joy Labinjo, Melanie Manchot, Celia Paul, Gillian Wearing and Shaqúelle Whyte
The four Thomas Gainsborough portraits (circa 1763), were housed in their original carved Carlo Maratta frames and depicted members of the prominent Tugwell family from Bradford on Avon: clothier Humphrey Tugwell, his wife, Elizabeth and sons William and Thomas.
It is rare for a set of four portraits of members of the same family by Thomas Gainsborough to survive together. Rarer still is the fact that the sitters are not aristocratic visitors to fashionable Bath, but middle-class manufacturers from a small West Country town
A systematic literature review of research examining the impact of citizenship education on active citizenship outcomes
Get PDFThis article reports on a systematic review of the evidence concerning the impact of citizenship education, specifically focusing on the effect of different teaching activities on a range of active citizenship outcomes. It provides a narrative synthesis of 109 articles in peer reviewed journals, representing a wide range of methodological approaches. The review was undertaken for a teacher audience and the research team identified four themes with practical implications. First, we discuss the significance of school ethos and distinguish between distinctive aspects of ethos in the literature including relationships between students and teachers, values and behaviours. Second, we explore some of the characteristics of successful projects, including detailed consideration of the type of projects selected for action by young people, the role of teachers, and the duration of projects. This discussion suggests that, whilst full project cycles (involving students identifying and researching areas for action and devising, implementing and reviewing action plans) are valuable, there is also evidence to suggest that short, partial projects may be easier to implement and still secure comparable benefits. Third, we consider the evidence about whether and how citizenship education can have some compensatory effect, closing the civic gap between different groups of young people. In the fourth theme we consider the wide range of teaching strategies which have been demonstrated to have some success in practice
Assessing the effect of psychological priming techniques on salivary hormones and physical performance markers
Get PDFTestosterone and cortisol have contrasting anabolic and catabolic effects on the musculoskeletal system and altering effects on metabolism and psychological behavior. A literature review was undertaken as part of this thesis to synthesize current research on these hormones' production, regulation, and effects. Testosterone is a potent, naturally secreted androgenic anabolic hormone essential for muscle growth through protein synthesis, inhibiting muscular breakdown, altering muscular strength, metabolic regulation, and behavioral modulation through altered motivation and risk-taking. Cortisol is essential for producing energy due to a stress response from hypoglycemia, exercise, or a fight-or-flight response, and is also essential in the process of muscular hypertrophy. It is also a modulator of status-relevant behavior due to the dual-hormone hypothesis with testosterone. This hypothesis states that the relationship between these two hormones is cyclical, with either hormone inhibiting the others’ effects when their concentration levels are high; for strength and conditioning coaches, understanding these hormones is critical for effective training programming.
The potentiation of testosterone through methods such as listening to music or performing physical movements prior to undertaking an athletic endeavor is known as priming. Potentially, when an individual is primed, their performance level could improve due to higher levels of motivation and risk-taking. However, a protocol to achieve this potentiation similar to a physical warm-up protocol is lacking. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were completed as part of this thesis to examine the current body of literature pertaining to the priming of testosterone before undertaking a physical performance test. Findings showed that testosterone could be primed, which subsequently improved physical performance markers.
Five peer-reviewed articles with 147 subjects met the inclusion criteria relating to testosterone priming in the defined sporting context. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the viewing of a positive video clip in the presence of a smaller stranger significantly (p < 0.05) raises testosterone by 50% (g = 2.90, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.56, 3.23), a bigger stranger by 21% (g = 1.00, 95% CI 0.75, 1.25), a bigger friend by 20% (g = 1.10 95% CI 0.85, 1.35), and a smaller friend by 8% (g = 0.49, 95% CI 0.26, 0.73). Similar was found when viewing alone a positive video clip by 11% (g = 0.88, 95% CI 0.64, 1.12) or a successful short video clip by 12% (g = 0.87, 95% CI 0.62, 3 1.11) and being in the presence an attractive female observer by 39% (g = 0.67, 95% CI 0.61, 0.72). Finally, increased testosterone improved performance makers in skateboard tricks, rugby performance, a three-repetition maximum back squat (3RM), and bench press. On the contrary, aggressive video clips gave mixed results: testosterone rose by 10% (g = 0.67, 95% CI 0.43, 0.90) prior to performing a 3RM squat, with only a trivial finding of 1% (g = 0.03, 95% CI -0.20, 0.26) in men and -10% (g = -0.36, 95% CI -0.56, -0.16) in women before measuring hand grip strength and countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Additionally, the results highlighted a need for more literature regarding testosterone priming. Most primers implemented were video clips, with only one other stimulus recorded in this review, which was the presence of a female observer. Therefore, a wide range of priming techniques and subjects are required to add to the limited data already collected.
Due to the small number of studies found, the aim of Study 1 was to examine the frequency and modes of psychological priming techniques and strategies currently being implemented by athletes of various performance levels. A 15-question, anonymous survey was developed and shared via social media. Ninety subjects met the inclusion criteria, which were made up of 11 professional, 17 semi-professional, and 54 amateur-level athletes, with seven not competing. Priming strategies were implemented by 79% of subjects without using a coach, 10% used strategies with their coach, and 11% did not prime. For athletes, music was the preferred choice (27%), followed by instructional self-talk (24%), motivational self-talk (23%), applied physical actions (20%), and watching video clips (6.3%). For athletes that implemented a priming strategy via a coach, their preferred technique was motivational statements, with 55% implementing this technique, followed by 27% utilizing inspiring team talks, and only 18% playing music. Of those implementing a priming strategy, 66% found them to be either “very” or “extremely effective.” 38% of subjects felt priming accomplished this through increased motivation, 22% felt it reduced their fear and anxiety, 21% thought it improved their intensity, 15% felt it increased strength and power, and 2% thought it improved endurance. The chi-square test also found a significant (ϕc = 0.27; p = 0.011) relationship with using priming to increase motivation. These results demonstrate that priming strategies are being used irrespective of coach intervention; therefore, educating coaches and athletes on implementing priming techniques has its place when aiming to improve athlete performance.
Study 2 built on the results of the systematic review and meta-analysis, and Study 1, by investigating the priming effect of listening to self-selected music (SSM) or implementing motivational self-talk with imagery (MSTI) prior to performing a maximal strength 3RM back squat. Endocrine markers of salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations were investigated to identify whether either strategy invoked a change in their concentration levels to explain the mechanisms at work should differences in 3RM across interventions be noted. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participation numbers for the following studies were affected. As a result, fifteen healthy collegiate adult subjects with a mean age of 22.5 ± 5.8 years, 173.5 ± 8.2 centimeters (cm) tall, and a mass of 71.7 ± 9.2 kilograms (kg) undertook the test. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in 3RM, testosterone, or cortisol markers in SSM or MSTI groups. However, using Hedges g effect size analysis, there were small increases in 3RM back squat performance in MSTI and SSM conditions (g = 0.22, 95% CI -0.10, 0.54, and g = 0.26, 95% CI -0.23, 0.75 respectively) compared to a control (CON). SSM and MSTI increased testosterone levels compared to CON (g = 0.66, 5% CI -0.06, 1.37 and g = 0.39, 95% CI -0.27, 1.06, respectively), while trivial changes were observed in cortisol levels. Therefore, a small practical difference occurred in the testosterone: cortisol (TC) ratio in MSTI and SSM (g = 0.23, 95% CI -0.41, 0.87 and g = 0.31, 95% CI -0.34, 0.96 respectively). In summary, strategies such as SSM and MSTI may prime a healthy adult’s performance during training sessions, such that they can increase training intensity; this may be due to increases in testosterone and its potential effect on motivation and risk-taking.
As a result of motivational self-talk (MST) and SSM recording a small effect size increase in the 3RM back squat, the third study investigated the effect of these priming techniques on an upper body performance marker. A bench press exercise was implemented for four sets of four repetitions (reps) at a four-repetition maximum (4RM) intensity. Endocrine markers of salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations were investigated to identify whether either strategy invoked a change in their concentration levels to explain the mechanisms at work should differences in the four sets of four repetitions across the interventions be noted. Twenty-one healthy collegiate adults with a mean age of 23.0 ± 3.5 years, 176.2 ± 3.9 cm tall, and a mass of 75.3 ± 9.0 kg participated in this study. No statistically significant differences across interventions were found in the 4RM, cortisol, and testosterone markers. Using Hedges g effect size, trivial differences in volume load lifted against CON in SSM and MST were found (g = 0.09, 95% CI -0.42, 0.59, and g = 0.06, 95% CI -0.45, 0.57, respectively). Average barbell velocity demonstrated a trivial increase when comparing MST to CON (g = 0.15, 95% CI -0.36, 0.65), but a trivial decrease when SSM (g = -0.14, 95% CI -0.65, 0.37) was implemented. Salivary testosterone concentration levels incurred a large increase after MST (g = 1.04, 95% CI 0.50, 1.58) and SSM (g = 0.85, 95% CI 0.32, 1.38) interventions. Salivary cortisol concentrations produced moderate changes after SSM and MST conditions (g = 0.81, 95% CI 0.28, 1.34, and g = 0.78, 95% CI 0.25, 1.30, respectively). In summary, no statistically significant results were found. However, meaningful, practical differences were found with the volume of load lifted increasing over the four sets by 31.26 kg and 21.56 kg in SSM and MST, respectively. Therefore, these changes could potentially equate to notable differences over time, with increased testosterone concentration levels potentially driving small load increases.
Research has noted that physical performance markers can improve when being observed. As athletes are observed during performances, Study 4 investigated the observer effect of being viewed in person (OE). Additionally, in recent years, social media has grown in popularity; therefore, being observed virtually via social media (SMO) was also investigated. While warming up, subjects were observed, salivary testosterone and cortisol concentration levels and a subsequent 65% 1RM back squat exercise to repetition failure were tested to assess whether these primers affect a muscular endurance marker as no statistically significant results had been reported in the maximal strength performance markers. Additionally, being primed may assist in pushing through the “muscular burn” felt when performing muscular endurance repetitions rather than maximal strength repetitions. Back squat reps and bar velocity (m/s) were measured, along with the endocrine salivary concentration levels and their ratios. No statistically significant results were found across twelve healthy collegiate adult subjects with a mean age of 22.4 ± 2.9 years,175.0 ± 5.2 cm tall, and a mass of 76.6 ± 7.0 kg. However, using Hedges g effect size, practical differences were noted. A moderate increase in testosterone in SMO (g = 0.79, 95% CI -0.12, 1.46) was recorded, but only a trivial difference in OE (g = 0.06, 95% CI -0.58, 0.71) compared to CON. The SMO condition produced a lower cortisol rise (g = 0.09, 95% CI -0.56, 0.73) than OE (g = 0.22, 95% CI -0.43, 0.87) and CON. As a result, the TC ratio noted a moderate change in SMO (g = 0.58, 95% CI -0.08, 1.24) and OE (g = 0.10, 95% CI -0.55, 0.74) compared to CON. The SMO condition produced the most reps performed at 17.50 ± 6.14 reps (g = 0.43, 95% CI -0.22, 1.08), OE 17.33 ± 6.72 reps (g = 0.38, 95% CI -0.27, 1.03) compared to CON 14.83 ± 5.19 reps. With a small increase in mean bar velocity in both interventions, SMO = 0.49 m/s (g = 0.27, 95% CI -0.37, 0.92) and OE = 0.49 m/s (g = 0.28, 95% CI -0.37, 0.92) compared to CON = 0.47 m/s. In summary, no statistically significant differences were noted. However, practical differences were. Filming subjects for social media appears to have a greater effect on back squat bar velocity and completed repetitions, along with a higher testosterone and TC ratio than the control and the observer effect. Therefore, performance levels may improve if implemented throughout a training program.
The final study sought to investigate the priming effect of listening to SSM, implementing MSTI, and being observed through SMO before performing a muscle endurance sixteen-repetition maximum back squat (16RM). The barbell average velocity was recorded throughout the back squat, and prior to this, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and a CMJ were measured. Endocrine markers of salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations were also taken to investigate the possible underpinning psychophysiological mechanisms at work. Twenty-eight healthy collegiate subjects with a mean age of 28.9 ± 8.0 years, 167.7 ± 34.8 cm tall, and a mass of 78.3 ± 12.5 kg partook in the study. Due to subject availability, not all subjects performed all interventions. Therefore, individual intervention results were measured alongside subjects who completed all three interventions (Trio). Results revealed a significant increase in load lifted in SSM 65.07 ± 5.09 kg (g = 0.55, 95% CI -0.12, 0.99, p < 0.001) vs. CON 50.00 ± 4.42 kg, MSTI 61.14 ± 6.45 kg (g = 0.56, 95% CI -0.12, 1.00, p = 0.007) vs. CON 48.57 ± 4.76 kg and SMO 59.14 ± 5.86 kg (g = 0.55, 95% CI -0.08, 1.01, p = 0.01) vs. CON 47.86 ± 4.80 kg. The Trio group also recorded statistically significant results in SSM 68.10 ± 6.64 kg (g = 0.85, 95% CI -0.05, 1.74, p = 0.001), and MSTI 64.50 ± 8.21 kg (g = 0.60, 95% CI -0.52, 1.72, p = 0.02) vs. CON 50.00 ± 5.73 kg, but not SMO 59.50 ± 7.87 kg (g = 0.40, 95% CI -0.82, 1.63). All other markers and tests did not produce significant changes except for a reduction in peak power during the CMJ in the MSTI intervention (p = 0.04, g = -0.23, 95% CI -0.73, -0.23 (3661.86 ± 277.07 W) compared to control (4307.21 ± 284.66 W)). Moderate to large effect size reductions occurred in cortisol levels in the Trio group (ST g = -0.98, 95% CI -1.98, 0.01 (82%)), with SSM and SMO noting moderate changes (g = -0.68, 95% CI -1.68, 0.32 (93%) and g = -0.67, 95% CI -1.42, 0.09, (88%), respectively) vs. CON (131%). Testosterone levels did not produce any notable changes. In summary, SSM, MSTI, and SMO may prime a healthy adult’s performance for muscular endurance exercises but not for maximal strength and power during training sessions. Improvements may result from cortisol concentration levels reducing, as cortisol moderates the effect of testosterone and its subsequent impact on motivation and risk-taking behavior changes.
In conclusion, the findings from this thesis suggest that i) healthy adults are already innately implementing priming techniques to improve performance through listening to music and motivational self-talk and physical actions; ii) priming can improve muscular strength and endurance performances but not maximal muscular strength and power in healthy adults; iii) the underpinning mechanisms for this effect may potentially be the rise in testosterone to increase motivation and subsequent risk-taking to increase the load placed on the barbell to lift more than they initially thought was possible. Simultaneously, the modulation of cortisol to increase the TC ratio appears equally important due to the hormones working in tandem. Further research is required to understand the efficacy of priming more fully
Governing the International Criminal Court: the history and practice of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute
No full textThis thesis studied how the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute performed its statutory responsibilities to govern the International Criminal Court between 2002 and 2021. While the literature covering the emergence and development of the Court understandably prioritized its judicial mandate in the Rome Statute, this thesis argues that without fully appraising the Assembly of States Parties, such analysis is limited. This is so because Article 112, in Part 11 of the Statute, created a governance body assigning to the States Parties a number of critical functions impacting the life of the Court. In particular, this thesis explored relevant historical antecedents, the drafting history of the Assembly and traced the main responsibilities of States Parties across the Rome Statute.
States Parties, as the masters of the Rome Statute, have a duty to govern the Court as they are also bound to respect its independence. This palpable tension became ever more complex to navigate after the Court became fully operational at the end of the first session of the Assembly of States Parties in 2003. However, governance provisions for international judicial institutions by States Parties to a multilateral treaty did not originate solely with Article 112 in the Rome Statute. There is a rich history that can be traced to three key moments in 1937, 1943 and 1981 that offer an insight into policy options pursued by States at the Rome Conference in 1998. In both cases, choices made in the past have influenced how the Assembly has performed its statutory duties between 2002 and 2021.
Since 2002, both the International Criminal Court and the Assembly of States have faced internal and external challenges calling into question the legitimacy, utility and results of the Rome Statute system in fighting impunity. Even as the Assembly of States Parties negotiated, designed and made decisions to safeguard the Court, several of its actions have also affected the quality of institutional governance and judicial capabilities outlined in the Rome Statute. This has been the case in key statutory responsibilities such as financial oversight, enforcement of cooperation, election of judges and the Prosecutor and other key tasks assigned to multiple subsidiary bodies. Across statutory responsibilities, States Parties retained the power to enhance or hinder the work of the Court. Facing internal and external challenges, the Assembly developed institutional practices while navigating the tension of governing an international criminal court. In doing so, however, political, technical and legal dynamics have affected how well States Parties have steered the Court towards its full potential.
To situate the overall analysis within the long history of international judicial governance institutions, the research begins with a discussion of three key moments in 1937, 1943 and 1981 that offer an insight into policy options pursued by States at the Rome Conference. The study continues by investigating the travaux préparatoires of Article 112 between 1990 and 1998. In then discusses the Preparatory Commission setting up the operations of the Court and the Assembly between 1999 and 2002. The thesis then reviews the practice of the Assembly of States Parties between 2002 and 2021 across governance and management, elections, disciplinary measures and removal of officials, financial oversight, enforcement of cooperation, oversight of auxiliary judicial instruments and amendments and review of the Rome Statute.
The research shows that States Parties’ choices and decisions between 2002 and 2021 have affected the institutional governance and judicial capabilities outlined in the Rome Statute. Tracing 20 sessions of the Assembly of States Parties delivered a complex but rich understanding of the governance dynamics of the Court. Taking the findings of this thesis together, it is possible to notice the unrealized potential of States Parties to actively partner with the Court in finding a common vision to achieve the ideas embedded in the Rome Statute as it enters its third decade
Modelling and numerical simulation of heat transfer and hydrodynamic performance of multi-pass parallel flow condensers - a novel algebraic method to determine flow distribution
Get PDFIn multi-pass parallel flow condensers (MPFCs), refrigerant flow maldistribution poses a significant challenge, deteriorating heat transfer performance. A robust flow distribution prediction method is crucial for the accuracy and applicability of an MPFC model. This study originally develops a new algebraic method to determine refrigerant distribution in tube-passes for MPFCs. This algorithm can be directly integrated with the authors' previously developed 2-D distributed-parameter model for MPFCs with liquid-vapor separation (MPFC-LS). The novel algorithm applies to conditions where: 1) the inlet tube of the first tube-pass is positioned arbitrarily along the vertical inlet header, and 2) the mediate headers have or lack liquid-vapor separation. The new condenser models are validated by comparing the predicted results with the experimental data of a MPFC and a MPFC-LS. The predicted heat transfer capacity and pressure drop show deviations within ±5% and ±35%, respectively. Results also reveal that the optimal position of the inlet tube is one tube pitch downward from the top of the inlet header under the given configuration and conditions. The best position of the inlet tube, compared with the worst case, improves the flow distribution by 67%, reduces the pressure drop by 68% and increases the heat transfer by 0.5%
The real Living Wage in the London hospitality sector: opportunities and challenges
Get PDFThis report explores the opportunities and challenges of the implementation of the real Living Wage (rLW) in the hospitality sector in London, based on in-depth interviews with rLW-accredited hospitality employers and hospitality workers.
Interviews with the hospitality employers show that there are clear opportunities that come with rLW adoption. It helps employers to position themselves as an ‘employer of choice’, thus improving their ability to recruit and retain good staff. Some see rLW adoption as a way to help improve the image of the industry. Even where employers already pay at London Living Wage levels they see value in seeking rLW accreditation, as it comes with various reputational benefits, including the ability to credibly portray themselves as a reputable employer and trusted brand. Challenges include the need to carefully consider the balance between service charges and a higher base pay, the maintenance of pay differentials, and the incorporation of the rLW in annual budget planning.
Interviews with hospitality workers highlight financial and psychological benefits that those working in hospitality experience if they are paid a rLW as opposed to just a minimum wage. Findings also show that workers will only feel the full benefit of the rLW if they are offered sufficient and guaranteed hours; and if other aspects such as a good work environment, good additional benefits and development opportunities are available to them.
Based on the insights gained from the research, this report proposes a number of recommendations to promote rLW adoption in the hospitality sector aimed at hospitality employers, industry bodies, the Living Wage Foundation, as well as policy makers and government