Call For Wages To Rise

It's claimed a pay rise for Scotland's lowest workers would save nearly £100 million in welfare.

Over 400, 000 people here are currently paid less than £7.65 an hour.

Politicians, trade unions, business leaders and the third sector have come together today to attend a Living Wage Summit.

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said: "The most effective way to win the battle against poverty in Scotland is to abolish low pay.

"Too many families in Scotland are the boiler or the fridge breaking down from being in real trouble. Low pay holds Scotland's families back, and that holds Scotland back.

"By giving a pay rise to every low paid Scot, we can save millions in welfare spending, and give people a chance to get on in life.

"A Scottish Labour Government, led by me, will establish a Work Commission that will look to increase the skills and wages of workers. It is clear that when pay cheques don't protect families from poverty the answer must be higher paying jobs.

"Today's summit has shown the breadth of support for the living wage across Scotland, from the trade unions, to the voluntary sector, to business and anti-poverty campaigners.

"The living wage is an idea whose time has come. A UK Labour Government will establish Make Work Pay contracts that will extend the living wage to where it needs to be – the private sector.

"In May Scotland can pick the winner of the general election. We can pick a fairer future.  We can pick a Labour Government that will Make Work Pay."