London, Dec 12 (IANS): Chelsea have become the first English Premier League club the league to pay its staff a Living Wage.

According to the Independent, the wage - at an hourly rate - is set by the Living Wage Foundation, is updated annually and is calculated in accordance wiwth the basic cost of living in Britain at an hourly rate.

Currently, the British Living Wage is 7.85 pounds an hour while in London it is 9.15 pounds an hour. The minimum wage is 6.50 pounds an hour.

Chelsea’s agreement would come into effect from January next year and would cover all directly employed members of staff at the west London club.

Those working in London will receive at least 9.15 while those based outside, like at its training base in Cobham, Surrey, will get at least 7.85 an hour, according to the British Daily.

The club said it had begun the process of ensuring that external contractors who work for the club would also eventually receive the Living Wage, as well as any other additional agency employees tied to the club. Chelsea said such a development would be complete by July 2017.

"We believe the move to the Living Wage underlines our commitment to ensuring that all our employees receive a fair rate of pay for their hard work and dedication. Quite simply it is the right thing to do," the club's chairman, Bruce Buck, said in a statement.

Scottish side Hearts became the first British club to pay their staff the living wage in October.