Labour Attacks SNP Over Living Wage Policy

17th March 2014

Rhoda Grant MSP, Scottish Labour Highlands and Islands Region, has slammed the SNP for its hypocrisy over the Living Wage. An amendment to the Procurement Reform Bill was proposed today at the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee which was designed to promote the payment of the Living Wage to workers on public sector contracts. It was voted down by the SNP committee members last week.

“The Living Wage is an issue that should bridge the political divide between Scottish Labour and the SNP, “ said Mrs Grant “In the past, these SNP committee members were happy to talk about their support for the Living Wage,” she continued, “but when asked to promote its implementation they are found wanting.

“Full time workers moving from being paid the minimum wage to the Living Wage would see a £2000 boost to their annual income. As the Highlands and Islands continue to face a cost of living crisis, rising energy bill, rent levels and child care costs this would make a large difference to their overall quality of life.

“These MSPs need to explain to their constituents and to people across Scotland why they but are quite happy to back a near £400 million tax cut to business in the form of the SNP’s proposed Corporation Tax cut but do not want to improve wages for some of the poorest working people in Scotland.

“Once again, “ continued Mrs Grant, “there is a marked difference between what the SNP say and what the SNP do.

“My colleague, Scottish Labour’s Infrastructure spokesman James Kelly MSP intends to bring back the Living Wage amendment at the third stage of the Procurement Bill. We hope that the SNP as a whole see sense by that point, or that some of their backbenchers grow a backbone and stand up for the working people of Scotland. “