Wage restraint

Workers have been told to consider the risks of a potential recession and whether Scotland can afford increasing wages when asking for pay rises, SNP minister Richard Lochhead has said.

Should these politicians not lead the way, and lead by example when they ask the people they work for to accept a fall in living standards, and pay cuts in real terms? Or do they consider themselves exempt?

Anna Mosspaul I don’t support telling people to not ask for pay rises The issue is that companies across the board do not pay people enough to live a normal life and that has to change The search for greater and greater profits year-on-year is part of the problem. In the SNP’S defence its MPS and MSPS do not accept there pay rises and haven’t during their time in office, which is more than can be said south of the border with the Labour, Tory and Lib Dem politicians.

Jay Conroy

I think most workers will consider keeping the lights on and feeding the family a bit more important.

John Hewit

I hope our political masters are also willing to give up some perks and lead from the front instead of hibernating in the château 30 miles behind the front line.

Mark Pye

Shutdown the Scottish embassies set up in various parts of the world. I think that’s costing around £6 million a year – that will help find money for the workers.

Robet Mcgarrie

It may be true... but it will never deter anyone from asking for a raise

Taliesin Conner

Why should workers not get a pay rise? Should we just sit and wait for the repo man as most are struggling to pay their bills.

Jimmy Rowbotham I support lower paid workers receiving higher awards wherever possible. Of course without productivity increases public service pay increases merely add to taxation costs and exacerbate inflation. I experienced the 1970s and so far this situation is manageable.

Derrick Cowan