Council leader backs wage campaign

Oct 10 2012

The leader of Scotland's largest local authority has given his support to a campaign calling for everyone to be paid a living wage.

Glasgow City councillor Gordon Matheson said paying workers at least that amount - currently set at £7.20 per hour - was "about doing the right thing".

The council is the first local authority in Scotland to back the Scottish Youth Parliament's One Fair Wage campaign.

Mr Matheson is to meet members of the Scottish Youth Parliament as he signs a pledge to show his support.

The council leader said: "I warmly welcome the Scottish Youth Parliament's One Fair Wage campaign. It's the lowest paid who suffer most during a recession and we won't abandon them in tough times. Paying the living wage is about doing the right thing. If you are working, then you should be able to afford to look after yourself and your family.

"Paying the living wage benefits employers and is a key part of the council's work to helping deliver a fairer, more prosperous city."

Andrew Deans, a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, urged other councils to follow Glasgow's example.

He said: "Glasgow is the largest authority in Scotland and has been a trailblazer for the Scottish living wage. We are grateful for Glasgow's support and hope councils across Scotland will follow this example and back One Fair Wage, ensuring thousands of low-paid Scots receive at least enough money for a decent standard of living."

Glasgow City Council was the first local authority in Scotland to pay all its workers the living wage.

Last week the authority announced its Glasgow living wage would increase from this rate to £7.50 an hour from the start of April next year - a move which Mr Matheson said would benefit 5,000 members of staff.