Leonard: Poverty pay on rise

Nearly half a million people are earning less than the living wage in Scotland, according to a report.

Analysis of the Scottish labour market indicates that 470,000 people are now earning less than the living wage of £8.75 per hour.

It represents an increase of 53,000 on the 417,000 people cited in the report for 2012.

The hourly living wage rate for adults in 2012 was set at £7.20.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “Under the broken economy of the SNP and the Tories, more and more people are on poverty pay in Scotland this year, than last – including some of the most valued workers in society.

“Labour governments at Holyrood and Westminster have a plan to end poverty pay, including introducing a real living wage of £10 an hour and an industrial strategy that will deliver highwage, high-skill jobs across Scotland.”