It has been announced by the Living Wage Foundation today that the new rates for the Living Wage will rise by 10.9% to £10.90 – with London weighed rates at £11.95. Although this is a record increase, it is unsurprising with the economic climate and outlook remaining pretty bleak for both consumers and businesses.
Our parent company, Corps Security, has committed to paying all employed colleagues the real Living Wage, I can confirm this includes 100% of our colleagues at Corps Monitoring. As a Recognised Service Provider, we will continue to honour this pledge, and the company continues to increase the number of colleagues on contracted accounts, following our recent announcement that we are now at 87.5%.
Wages costs are increasing, but technology costs are decreasing
The economic climate in the UK and worldwide is causing increasing concern for businesses, including our customers. The new Living Wage will only add to the anxiety. Corps is in a unique position in that we provide manned guarding or people-led solutions and technology as part of our professional services. By working in partnership, our solutions can offer increased efficiency and reduce cost implications for our customers.
Whilst wage increases will continue to rise; we are seeing a steady and consistent decline in the cost of technology as more businesses become aware of the benefits of technological solutions in the fight to protect their people and property. Alongside this, we are still faced with a labour shortage across the security industry since the pandemic and Brexit. Could now be the time to review your security provisions to see if improvements can be made now?
How can technology improve security provision efficiency?
Technology in security can provide a proactive solution as part of your contract. The use of technology has become more widespread as technology is advancing at such an impressive rate.
CCTV Monitoring: CCTV Monitoring has developed over the years into a proactive solution that offers second-to-none protection for your people, property, and assets. Your Alarm-activated systems are easily integrated into our Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). When activated, our highly skilled operatives can monitor an assailant, alert them they are being monitored, raise the alarm with emergency services when required and act as a deterrent without the need for physical intervention. It is safe, and effective and supports manned guarding solutions, too, by providing a second set of eyes when guards are required to attend to other incidents or complete agreed patrols. Whilst we are not advocating the removal of manned guards, a carefully reconsidered solution could reduce the requirement of two guards, to one, with the use of technology.
Intruder & Fire Alarm Monitoring: Our intruder and fire alarm monitoring services act similarly to CCTV monitoring. We can integrate your fire and intruder alarms into our ARC (compatible with most professional alarm systems), providing a 24/7 response monitored by highly trained professionals. Our immediate response ensures fast and efficient access to the emergency services and can reduce the risk to colleagues in the event of an incident on site.
Personal Protection: Security is a potentially dangerous profession, and the mission to fully protect our colleagues has led to the industry-wide development of solutions for lone workers and those at risk. At Corps Monitoring, we have developed Corps Guard, an app designed to offer safety and security for colleagues. Many contracts may require two trained and licensed guards for health and safety reasons. However, the main reason for a required two-person team is to prevent lone working. However, in a time of financial crisis, offering above standard protection for colleagues, with interactive and practical apps such as Corps Guard, significantly reduce the risks to the person and could welcome a reduction in the guarding requirements of your contract.
Safety of colleagues is paramount
While we advocate using a blended security solution – technology and manned – it is vitally important to remember that the safety of our colleagues is paramount. Therefore, we mustn’t perform any knee-jerk reactions whilst anxieties rise of increasing costs. Every adaption to security provisions should always be done in collaboration with your professional supplier. This will ensure the contract remains not only compliant and within your insurance and licensing requirements but remains as safe as possible.
We are here to support you
Corps Security – across the group – are offering free consultations, advice, and support during this ongoing financial issue. For Corps Security customers, we will work in partnership with the contract teams to identify opportunities to offer a blended and contemporary solution that could reduce overall costs. In the coming weeks, our customers will hear from us, but if you are not a Corps Security customer and would like to know more about how technology integration can help your business, do get in touch.
Corps Monitoring is a division of Corps Security – the UK’s longest running security company. Corps Monitoring offer a range of technology solutions including CCTV Monitoring Services, Fire Alarm Monitoring, Intruder Alarm Monitoring, Personal Protection Services, Key Holding, Call Centre Monitoring, Lone Worker Monitoring and more.
