MSP Alex urges Living Wage

Shotts MSP Alex Neil is urging local businesses to sign up to the Scottish Living Wage.

At present the number of accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland has hit 900.

The Scottish Living Wage is independently calculated based on the cost of living – with the real Living Wage currently at £ 8.45, above the minimum wage of £7.50 for workers aged over 25.

There are currently 31 accredited Living Wage employers in North Lanarkshire.

With research showing paying the real Living Wage leads to a fall in absenteeism and a significant impact on recruitment and staff retention.

Mr Neil said: “The real Living Wage can make a huge difference to both workers and employers.

“For business, paying the Living Wage makes sense – it is an investment in people and all the evidence shows it leads to increased productivity and reduced staff absence and turnover.

“Around 20 per cent of Scotland’s

New start P1 pupil Jayden Frew with big sister Sharelle, who is a P7 pupil, at St Patrick’s Primary School