The organisation’s Board took the decision in the summer to remove the two lowest pay grades to ensure that all current and future employees would be paid the minimum living wage.

Chair of Scotland’s Housing Network, John Wolstencroft, said: “SHN is delighted that it has achieved accreditation as a Living Wage Employer. It reflects our belief that Network staff and others who work in the housing sector should be paid a fair and reasonable wage. As a landlord organisation, supporting the Real Living Wage also underpins our understanding that low pay also negatively impacts on tenants’ quality of life.”

Elaine Byrne, director of Scotland’s Housing Network, added: “The accreditation process for us was very straightforward and I would encourage as many of our members and suppliers to consider this approach to show commitment to real living wages in the social housing sector and beyond.”

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “I am delighted to welcome Scotland’s Housing Network to the Living Wage Employer movement in Scotland. The real Living Wage is one of the most effective means we have of tackling in-work poverty, and Living Wage accreditation is the mark of a responsible employer.

“With more than half of children in poverty in Scotland living in a household where someone works, paying a real Living Wage that reflects the cost of living has never been more important.

“I congratulate Scotland’s Housing Network on their accreditation as a Living Wage Employer and I hope more organisations in Scotland will follow their lead by getting in touch with us.”