WIREDGOV

Most Scottish councils are now paying employees the Scottish living wage of £7.20 per hour.

Eleven councils already pay their staff the living wage and six councils have now confirmed they will pay it from April this year, while another two have indicated their intention to introduce the living wage.

The living wage can help provide certainty for households who are already dealing with pressures on family budgets caused by rising food and fuel prices.

The Scottish Government and its agencies already pay employees a living wage and encourages all employers within the public, private and third sectors in Scotland to do likewise, although this is a matter for employers.

Local Government Minister Derek Mackay said:

“I welcome the fact that more and more councils are paying the living wage, with the majority of councils are now either paying the living wage or committed to introducing it from April.

“Our pay policy supports lower paid workers while freezing pay and bonuses, and Ministers are taking a pay freeze for the fourth year in a row. All bodies covered by our public sector pay policy must pay the Living Wage of £7.20 per hour and while it is a matter for councils to set their own rates of pay, the Government continues to encourage all public sector employers to introduce the Scottish living wage. I would urge remaining councils to consider following suit.”