[Scotland] 'Five times more’ Living Wage employers than UK

In Scotland, a record 4,000 firms now pay their workers the real Living Wage. A statistic that First Minister John Swinney has stated as "five times" the level of the UK, proportionately, The National reports.

The Scottish Government has made paying the real Living Wage a requirement for firms in receipt of public grants, helping to increase the number of workers who benefit.

More than 16,000 businesses across the UK pay staff the real Living Wage. Mr Swinney reportedly said this means Scotland has “proportionately around five times as many real Living Wage employers”.

Approximately 72,000 employees across Scotland are now paid at least this level. The First Minister said that the higher wages can help them deal with the rising cost of living.

Mr Swinney added that the Living Wage, which currently stands at £13.45 an hour for workers outside London, also helped with “supporting a fairer, more equal society”.

He made the comments at the start of Living Wage week on a visit to Edinburgh’s Capital City Partnership, which works to tackle inequalities and support people into employment.

The First Minister said, “Ensuring people are paid fairly is crucial to keep people out of poverty.

“The real Living Wage helps to make sure that salaries keep pace with the rising cost of living – supporting a fairer, more equal society.

“Paying the real Living Wage has significant benefits for employers, including improving staff retention and motivation. It also helps to increase spending in local economies, in turn boosting economic growth.

“I am pleased that we have now reached a record accredited real Living Wage 4000 employers, meaning that Scotland has proportionately around five times as many real Living Wage employers compared to the rest of the UK.

“That is very positive news, and we will continue to encourage more businesses to sign up – recognising the benefits for employers and employees alike.”

Source: The National

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Scotland, a record 4,000 firms now pay their workers the real Living Wage. A statistic that First Minister John Swinney has stated as "five times" the level of the UK, proportionately, The National reports.

The Scottish Government has made paying the real Living Wage a requirement for firms in receipt of public grants, helping to increase the number of workers who benefit.

More than 16,000 businesses across the UK pay staff the real Living Wage. Mr Swinney reportedly said this means Scotland has “proportionately around five times as many real Living Wage employers”.

Approximately 72,000 employees across Scotland are now paid at least this level. The First Minister said that the higher wages can help them deal with the rising cost of living.

Mr Swinney added that the Living Wage, which currently stands at £13.45 an hour for workers outside London, also helped with “supporting a fairer, more equal society”.

He made the comments at the start of Living Wage week on a visit to Edinburgh’s Capital City Partnership, which works to tackle inequalities and support people into employment.

The First Minister said, “Ensuring people are paid fairly is crucial to keep people out of poverty.

“The real Living Wage helps to make sure that salaries keep pace with the rising cost of living – supporting a fairer, more equal society.

“Paying the real Living Wage has significant benefits for employers, including improving staff retention and motivation. It also helps to increase spending in local economies, in turn boosting economic growth.

“I am pleased that we have now reached a record accredited real Living Wage 4000 employers, meaning that Scotland has proportionately around five times as many real Living Wage employers compared to the rest of the UK.

“That is very positive news, and we will continue to encourage more businesses to sign up – recognising the benefits for employers and employees alike.”

Source: The National

(Quotes via original reporting)