Leonard pledge on poverty
THE frontrunner to be Scottish Labour leader today pledges to eradicate poverty if he becomes First Minister.
In an article for the Record’s website, Richard Leonard tries to move the race to replace Kezia Dugdale on to policy after a damaging few days of party infighting.
The trade union-backed candidate reveals his first move as leader would be to push for all firms who get public cash to pay the real living wage of £8.45 an hour.
“Ending poverty means real change to deal with low pay and poverty,” he said. “We need to use the powers of the Parliament to advance this agenda now.
“We need to use public procurement in Scotland to make work fairer. Every public pound spent of private contractors must be used to make work better paid. This must mean no public contracts for firms who do not pay at least the living wage.”
Leonard criticised the Scottish Government for claiming they could not force contractors to pay the living wage because of EU rules.
He added: “I will not hide behind EU rules. I will stand up for a living wage in all public supply and works contracts.
“It should also apply to all those companies seeking public grants and loans including regional selective assistance. This is our money, we should lay down the rules.
“We need urgently to secure a living wage and we need to raise it to £10 an hour at the earliest opportunity.
“This will benefit nearly half a million working people. It will benefit them in retirement too, and it will also benefit many of those children in poverty.”
The move was last night backed by trade union UNISON, who are backing Leonard in the contest. Scottish organiser Dave Watson said: “We welcome this strong commitment by Richard Leonard to use public procurement to raise employment standards.”
Leonard’s rival for the party leadership Anas Sarwar said he was also focusing on policy. He told members: “You have a choice to focus on the divisions of the past, or to build a fairer future for all.”