2 November 2016

The First Minister has welcomed the rise in the real Living Wage rate of 20p to £8.45 an hour which will benefit thousands of employees.

In Living Wage Week, the First Minister urged more Scottish organisations to sign up as Accredited Living Wage Employers.

The Living Wage that meets the real costs of living is reviewed every year using the best evidence about living standards in the UK.

.@scotgovfm @NicolaSturgeon welcomes @livingwageuk increase to £8.45 and urges more companies to sign up. #livingwageweek @BellGroupUK pic.twitter.com/CjzifeFJgF

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) October 31, 2016

The First Minister was at The Bell Group, a UK wide painting and decorating contractor headquartered in Airdrie and the latest Scottish business to become accredited.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

The new Living Wage of £8.45 will be a welcome pay rise for thousands of Scottish workers and ensures people’s basic wage continues to meet the real costs of living.

“Like the Bell Group, 630 employers in Scotland are now accredited Living Wage employers and I want to see all businesses implement the new rates as soon as possible.

“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.”

Thanks to @NicolaSturgeon for announcing new real #livingwage rate of £8.45 an hour at the @BellGroupUK pic.twitter.com/kk4hJAg0rU

— Poverty Alliance (@PovertyAlliance) October 31, 2016