It’s time to play hardball

The Government has been criticised for many of the actions of its job creation agency Scottish Enterprise.

But the decision to send a clear message to Amazon and others that taxpayers’ cash will only be available on the strict condition workers receive the living wage is one Nicola Sturgeon should be commended for.

It is remarkable that Amazon owner Jeff Bezos, worth a staggering £125billion, isn’t ashamed to beg for money so desperately needed in our impoverished schools and hospitals.

He clearly isn’t keen on contributing to the country’s coffers, given his firm’s UK tax bill fell last year to a disgracefully low £4.6million despite a near-trebling of profits.

It is absolutely right that development cash granted in future requires a guarantee that every worker employed is paid a decent wage.