Scottish Youth Parliament strikes a blow for fairer pay - and urges others to do the same
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) has been formally accredited a living wage employer.
It has paid the rate since its inception in 1999 and, through the One Fair Wage campaign, SYP has campaigned with others to establish the scheme in Scotland.
The Poverty Alliance is working in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation to accredit Living Wage employers in Scotland.
The living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. Currently set at £7.85 per hour, it is calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK. Employers choose to pay it on a voluntary basis.
It is simply not fair for employees to be paid a wage below what is required for an acceptable standard of living
SYP chair Louise Cameron (pictured above) said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Youth Parliament has now been formally accredited as a living wage employer. We have known for a long time that low wages is the key driver of in-work poverty.
“It is simply not fair for employees to be paid a wage below what is required for an acceptable standard of living. Employers must play their part in combating in-work poverty through the living wage, and I would encourage all employers to join this scheme.
“We will launch our national campaign later this week to raise awareness of the severity of youth poverty in Scotland. Currently, research shows than one in five of Scotland’s children are considered to be living in poverty. This is much higher than in many other European countries”
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Congratulations to the Scottish Youth Parliament on joining the growing number of accredited living wage employers in Scotland.
“In work poverty has been on the rise in Scotland, with almost of two thirds of children in poverty living in a household where someone works.
“The living wage is one of the best tools for tackling in work poverty and ensuring a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
“We are pleased to see the Scottish Youth Parliament recognise the role of employers in tackling poverty, and hope others will follow their example.”
