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Keltbray has become the latest firm to promise a one-off cost of living payment with the contractor set to hand two-thirds of its staff 拢1,000 this autumn.

The firm said that more than 1,100 of its near 1,700 staff will receive the payment, which is being given to those employees earning 拢50,000 a year or less.

The move means that Keltbray is spending more than 拢1.1m, with staff also in line to receive a pay rise in November.

Keltbray said: 鈥淭he percentage of this pay rise will be scaled to ensure that those who are the hardest hit will receive the most benefit. The maximum pay rise will be 5%, which will be applied to around 75% of our PAYE people.鈥�

Commenting on the one-off payment, the firm鈥檚 chief executive Darren James said: 鈥淎s a business we are acutely aware of the impact that the current levels of inflation are having on the cost of living in the UK and we want to do all we can to support our people in these challenging times.

鈥淭his investment is absolutely the right thing to do and the board was unanimous in agreeing that we have to prioritise those hardest hit by the current cost of living crisis. The health, safety and wellbeing of our people is our primary focus and this is a positive step in ensuring we help those most affected to navigate through these uncertain times.鈥�

Yesterday Galliford Try said it was handing around 1,800 staff 鈥� more than half the firm鈥檚 3,300 employees 鈥� a one-off 拢750 payment this autumn to help with the cost of living. Chief executive Bill Hocking said: 鈥淧eople are employed and are still struggling.鈥�

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Over the summer Barratt said it was handing all staff below senior management level a 拢1,000 payment that was being made in six instalments by the end of the year.

And in August, Taylor Wimpey said it was making a 拢1,000 payment 鈥渇or employees receiving an annual salary of up to 拢70,000鈥�.

Businesses from other industries have also pledged to make payments to help staff deal with rising living costs with retailers John Lewis and Marks & Spencer both promising help for their employees.