Stevenson Welcomes Increase in Living Wage

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast has welcomed the announcement of an increase in the Living Wage this week, and urged more local businesses to mark Living Wage Week 2015 by signing up as accredited Living Wage employers.

The Living Wage rate, calculated independently by the Living Wage Foundation in partnership with the Poverty Alliance, will increase by 40p to £8.25 per hour.

Already there are 370 firms in Scotland that have become accredited Living Wage employers, and Mr Stevenson has highlighted the benefits to businesses as well as staff in urging more local employers to sign up.

Mr Stevenson said

“Everyone has the right to expect a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – and so I am delighted to see the increase in the Living Wage which will provide a much-needed boost to the pay-packets of many hard-working people across Banffshire and Buchan Coast.

“Paying the Living Wage isn’t just good for staff - it’s also good for business, with improved productivity, better staff morale and lower absence rates, and the Scottish Government has made excellent progress in promoting fair pay, with 81 per cent of workers in Scotland now receiving at least the Living Wage.

“But there is more work to be done to ensure fair pay for those not yet receiving it – and I’m encouraging all employers in Banffshire and Buchan Coast to consider the benefits of signing up to the Living Wage for their business."

He added:

“The Living Wage is good for workers, good for business and good for Scotland as a whole – and I hope that more employers in my constituency will mark Living Wage week by becoming accredited Living Wage employers and joining the growing numbers of businesses paying their staff a fair wage.”