Close to 70,000 workers in Scotland are about to see an increase in their pay as the Real Living Wage goes up.
The Real Living Wage is a rate that companies can choose to pay their employees, and it is meant to cover the basic cost of living in the UK. This year, the hourly pay has been set at £12.60, which is a 5% increase. This means that over 68,000 people working for more than 3,750 employers who have signed up to pay the Real Living Wage will receive a pay rise.
Big names like SSE, Aviva, Ikea, Burberry, and LUSH, as well as many small businesses, have decided to pay the Real Living Wage to ensure that their workers and their families have financial security.
Peter Kelly, CEO of Poverty Alliance, emphasized the importance of workers earning enough to cover their needs and avoid poverty. He praised the thousands of employers in Scotland who have committed to paying the Real Living Wage and called on more companies to follow suit.
Deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate Forbes welcomed the pay increase, especially after the high living costs of the past two years. She highlighted that the Scottish Government has been promoting the Real Living Wage since 2015.
Employers who have already signed up to pay the Real Living Wage shared their positive experiences. Gaven Begg, Director of Begg Shoes, mentioned that paying the Real Living Wage has resulted in a happier and more engaged team, providing customers with a better shopping experience. Emma, a Footwear Stylist at Begg Shoes, expressed how valued and recognized she feels by the company because of the Real Living Wage.
Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, also shared the company’s commitment to paying a fair wage to recognize the hard work of their employees. They fully support the new rate announcement to help reduce in-work poverty.
In addition to paying the Real Living Wage, some employers in Scotland go further to ensure their workers have secure hours and fair wages. Living Hours employers guarantee a minimum of 16 hours of work per week and provide a month’s notice of shift patterns. Living Pension Employers go beyond to ensure their workers do not face poverty in retirement by providing a Living Pension savings level.
Kirsty Lunn, Founder and Creative Director of Molke, highlighted the benefits of investing in staff by being a Real Living Wage and Living Hours employer. Jennifer Clarke, a Design & Marketing Assistant at Molke, shared how these commitments have allowed her to achieve financial stability and consider important life decisions like buying a house and starting a family.
Overall, the increase in the Real Living Wage is a positive step towards ensuring that workers in Scotland can meet their everyday needs and live without the fear of poverty. Employers who pay the Real Living Wage are not only providing financial security to their employees but also contributing to a more just and equitable society.
