New rate for living wage will be set on Monday

Employers who have done the right thing and have implemented the living wage will be celebrated next week.

The current rate – £7.85 per hour – is set to be revised upwards on Monday and more supporters and participants are set to be announced.

Living Wage Week 2015 is a country-wide celebration, which will see a summit aimed at co-ordinating local campaigns to drive the movement forward.

Peter Kelly, of the Poverty Alliance, which administers the scheme in Scotland, said: “Living Wage Week is a time to celebrate those employers who have chosen to do the right thing and pay their staff the living wage.

Paying the living wage has benefits for the employee, the employer and wider society

“It is also a time to recognise the hard work of local groups and individuals who have campaigned for the living wage throughout Scotland.

“There are over 350 Accredited Living Wage Employers in Scotland, and we are confident that by March there will be at least 500.

“Research has shown that paying the living wage has benefits for the employee, the employer and wider society.

“At a time when so many children in poverty in Scotland are in working households, it more important that employers recognise their role in ensuring that everyone gets a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”.