JENNY GILRUTH MSP CALLS ON LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO ADOPT THE NEW £8.45 LIVING WAGE

Published date : 31 Oct 2016

Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth today welcomed the new Scottish Living Wage rate of £8.45 an hour and encouraged more employers in her constituency to sign up as Accredited Living Wage Employers.

The Scottish Living Wage, calculated to meet the cost of living, is reviewed every year based on living standards. The rise of 20 pence per hour will benefit thousands of workers at Living Wage-accredited organisations across Scotland.

Ms Gilruth is herself a recently accredited Living Wage employer and works with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative to promote the Living Wage in her constituency.

She said: “The new Living Wage of £8.45 will be a welcome pay rise for thousands of workers across Scotland and in Mid Fife and Glenrothes, ensuring that people’s basic wage continues to meet the real costs of living. I would encourage all businesses in my constituency to consider becoming Scottish Living Wage employers.

“For business, paying the Living Wage makes sense – it’s an investment in people and all the evidence shows it leads to increased productivity and reduced staff absence and turnover, while sending a strong signal to customers about fairness.

“With millions of workers worse off as a result of the UK Government’s welfare cuts, and low pay one of the main drivers of in-work poverty, employers can make a real difference by choosing to pay the real Living Wage. I encourage all businesses in my constituency to recognise the benefits of paying the real Living Wage.”

ENDS

Local Reporters