Minimum wage plans backed by both Labour and Lib Dems

South Lanarkshire Labour and Lib Dem groups are backing a new Living Wage rate of at least £10 per hour for council staff.

And their councillors will call on the local authority to increase the wages of the lowest paid staff, including cleaning and catering staff, in April.

It is expected that such an increase would help facilitate an injection of over £1 million into the local economy.

A‘real’living wage, as opposed to the UK Government’s‘national living wage,’takes full account of living costs.

Labour Group leader, East Kilbride councillor Joe Fagan, said:“Our plans of at least £10 per hour would not only boost the incomes of the lowest paid council workers but would inject well over £1 million into the local economy.

“Austerity has sucked too much spending out of the South Lanarkshire. We will use the levers available to us, however limited, to help our workers get by and spend more locally.

“The council is one of our area’s biggest employers and we want to use its spending power to make a difference in people’s lives and in people’s communities.

“This is a boost to cleaners, catering staff, clerical workers and facilities workers and people who are working on the frontline holding council services together.”

Lib Dem councillor, Robert Brown, said his party had“long supported” paying council staff at least the living wage rate set by the Living Wage Foundation.

He added:“South Lanarkshire, to its credit, is a living wage accredited employer.

“However, it is vital the £10/hr rate is backed by the SNP Scottish Government and fully funded in their grant settlement to councils.

“Public services are also often provided by private or voluntary sector providers such as early years’ care and community care for older people. These organisations must also be funded to pay the £10/hr wage rate.

“Too many people exist on inadequate, poverty wages in Scotland today. A £10/hr minimum wage will be a significant step forward.”