Established in April 2014 by the Poverty Alliance, with Scottish Government funding, the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative aims to increase the number of employers who are recognised for paying their staff the Living Wage, and therefore enabling workers to adequately provide for themselves and their families. There are 287 Living Wage accredited employers in Scotland, including Falkirk and Dumfries & Galloway Councils and, in Perth itself, Aviva and Scottish & Southern Energy.

Since 2012 the council has ensured that no employee is paid less than the Living Wage - covering all permanent and fixed term positions as well as supply workers that it directly employs.

To gain national accreditation, Perth & Kinross Council must now make a commitment that covers, to the extent permitted by law, the contractors and sub-contractors regularly providing it with services or delivering them on its behalf on Council premises, property or land. Taking this step should, within a reasonable timescale, also mean their staff receive the Living Wage.

Councillors will be asked to agree in principle that the depute chief executive - corporate and community services makes a submission for accreditation and works with the Poverty Alliance on the council’s approach, to be set in the context of the local authority’s procurement strategy, which is being revised at the moment.

Council leader, Councillor Ian Miller, said: “Paying the Living Wage is an important indication of an organisation’s commitment to fair work practices and a positive approach to its workforce. There are benefits to individuals and families who can access the goods and services that most people deem necessary to maintain an acceptable standard of living. Employers also benefit through increases in productivity and improved staff retention, morale and commitment.

“Furthermore, our economy benefits from additional spending on goods and services. We are in a good position to build on our existing commitment as an employer who already pays the Living Wage to all our employees.”

@PerthandKinross

@PovertyAlliance