High level of working poverty highlighted

Working poverty in Scotland is at its highest level since devolution, according to figures highlighted by Scottish Labour.

Since 1998-99 the number of people living in poverty in a household where at least one adult works has increased from about 440,000 to around 610,000.

The figures published by the Scottish Government last month show the proportion of people in poverty in working households is at 58% for 2015-16, up from 39% in 1998-99andupfrom43%in2006-07, around the time the SNP took power.

A total of 420,000 working-age adults were in in-work poverty after housing costs in 2015-16, compared with 280,000 in 1998-99, while the figure for children increased from 150,000 to 180,000.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “A decade of division from this SNP government has delivered the highest levels of working poverty since devolution.

“Rather than looking to rerun a referendum campaign Scots don’t want, the SNP should be focused on building a Scottish economy that works for working-class families.”

A spokesman for Fair Work Secretary Keith Brown said: “Where we do have the powers to act, we have made significant progress. At least 80% of workers in Scotland are now paid the living wage – a higher proportion than in any other country in the UK.”