TENS of thousands of workers in Glasgow would benefit from the Living Wage.

Uprating the minimum wage to the Living Wage campaign figure of £8.45 an hour would see a pay rise for 65,000 workers in the city.

Labour has produced figures showing their policy of increasing the National Minimum Wage to the real Living Wage figure and applying it to all workers over 18 would benefit almost 130,000 young people in Scotland.

Currently the UK Government’s Living wage only applies to 25-year-olds and over and is below the real Living Wage campaign figure.

Using the same official government statistics the party looked at for young people, it can been seen that Glasgow has almost one in five workers earning below the Living Wage figure.

The statistics show that Glasgow accounts for 14% or one in seven of all Scottish workers earning below the living wage.

Across the country there are almost half a million workers earning below the Living Wage level.

Labour wants to increase the minimum wage to £10 per hour by 2020 and scrap the separate lower rate for 18 to 25-year-olds.

More than half of all 18 to 25-year-olds in Scotland earn below the Living Wage.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “Scotland deserves a pay rise, especially our young people who have seen opportunities choked off by an SNP government that has been distracted from the day job. 

“Labour’s Real Living Wage of £10 an hour by 2020 would deliver a pay rise to millions across the UK and to at least 130,000 young people here in Scotland. 

“That’s the difference you get with a Labour government that works for the many, not the few.”

The UK Government statutory Living Wage for 21 to 24-year-olds is £7.05 per hour. For workers aged 25 and overs it is £7.50 per hour.

The UK Government rate is based on a target to reach 60% of median earnings by 2020. Under current forecasts this means a rise to less than £9 per hour by 2020. 

The Living Wage Foundation rate set at a level decided is needed for a decent standard of living is currently £8.45 per hour.

It is based on the cost of living based on the prices of a basket of goods and services.

The real Living Wage is paid by employers on a voluntary basis and 
is supported by the Scottish Government.

A total of 76 of Scotland’s 129 MSPs across all five parties, including all party leaders, are accredited Living Wage employers.

Eleven of Glasgow’s MSPs are listed as accredited.