Living wage plea for aides

POLITICIANS have been urged to help make sure their staff are paid a living wage.

All Scottish Parliament employees are already paid above the £7.45 per hour rate, the amount judged necessary for an acceptable standard of living, but pay for MSPs’ aides are up to individual politicians.

Lothians Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale raised the issue at the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body’s question time.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, on behalf of the SPCB, said discussions were continuing with contractors on wages for catering and 
cleaning staff.

He said: “In relation to members’ staff, we as a corporate body have taken a lead. We hope that sets an example to MSPs, but I think all of us have a role in exerting pressure on our colleagues to ensure they are paying the living wage.”