A BARRHEAD firm has become the 100th business to pledge to pay its staff the living wage.

Nicola Sturgeon said it was "great news" that McKean Developments has signed up to the scheme.

More than 100,000 workers across Scotland are now employed at companies which pay the living wage - currently set at £7.65 an hour - according to the Poverty Alliance.

As Ms Sturgeon visited McKean Developments she urged other businesses to follow suit.

The First Minister said: "It is great news that 100 companies are now accredited as Living Wage employers. The Scottish Government fully supports the Living Wage campaign and we recognise the real difference the Living Wage makes to the working people in Scotland.

"The Scottish Government is not able to set pay levels in the private sector, or indeed the wider public sector in Scotland where employees are not covered by our pay policy, however we do encourage all public, private and third sector organisations to ensure all staff on lower incomes receive a fair level of pay, and we are funding the Poverty Alliance to take forward the accreditation scheme.

"The list of 100 accredited companies clearly demonstrates it is not just big businesses who are providing a fairer deal for their staff but small companies like McKean Developments Ltd, which is guaranteeing the Living Wage for their staff. I would encourage all employers across Scotland to take the lead from the these 100 organisations and give their workers a Living Wage."

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, congratulated McKean Developments on becoming the 100th accredited Living Wage employer.

"This is an important milestone for the Living Wage in Scotland," he said.

"We are delighted that more and more employers are joining the movement for fair pay. These employers recognise that paying the Living Wage has benefits for their organisations as well as their employees."

Colin McLean, sales and technical manager at McKean Developments, said: "As a Living Wage employer it is our belief that our workforce deserve to be paid an honest and decent wage in return for their services. It's that simple.

"This, in turn, has helped increase both production capability and morale within our business, leading to increased customer satisfaction and a top quality finished product, not to mention a better quality of life for all of our employees."