HUNDREDS of workers in Glasgow will get a pay rise from today as the Living Wage increases to £9.30 per hour.

The 30p rise, announced by the Living Wage Foundation is above the national minimum wage of £8.21 per hour for workers aged 25 and over, which is set out by the UK Government.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, welcomed the pay rise and urged more employers to sign up.

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He said: “The real Living Wage is a vital component in the fight against in-work poverty. Workers need a wage that reflects the cost of living, but too many workers across Scotland are locked into poverty.

“That’s why it’s more important than ever for leading employers to join the growing movement of businesses and organisations that are going further than the UK Government minimum and making sure their employees earn enough to cover the cost of living.”

More firms are signing up to be accredited Living Wage employers but there are still an estimated 64,000 workers in Glasgow paid below the living wage.

Fair work minister Jamie Hepburn said the Scottish Government will continue to encourage more employers to adopt the real Living Wage.

He said: “This rise will make a big difference to the lives of thousands of people.

“I am delighted to say that over the last year, even more businesses and organisations have recognised the benefits of ensuring people’s basic pay meets the cost of living.

“Today there are more than 1,600 Living Wage-accredited employers in Scotland, 300 more than last year.”

Jamie Napier, a facilities operative at City Building in Glasgow, is paid the real Living Wage.

He said: “Coming from being on jobseekers, and then actually getting a decent wage, it opens up more doors for you, gives you more opportunities.

“I’ve now got two kids, which I wouldn’t have been able to have the option to try and do with lack of security and money.

“Now I’m able to have my own home. My kids have plenty of stuff and they enjoy themselves.

“It’s an opportunity that I don’t think I would have had if I didn’t work for City Building, earning the real Living Wage.”