Tens of thousands of workers in Glasgow are earning below the Real Living wage.

Almost one in ten workers in Scotland are earning below the Real Living Wage, official figures show.

Statistics from the Scottish Parliament information centre reveal that 9% of those in work are earning less than £9.90 per hour as of last October.

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The figure is lower than other UK countries but still represents more than 200,000 workers in Scotland on poverty pay.

In Glasgow, it is 31,000 workers or 7.1% of workers.

Rural parts of Scotland have a higher rate of workers earning below the Living Wage. South Ayrshire has the highest with 20% on less than £9.90 an hour.

Scottish Borders has 13.8% and neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway 13.5%

Across the UK the number is 3.5m or 12.2% of workers.

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In England, 2.95m people are earning below £9.90 an hour, 12.5%.

Northern Ireland has the highest rate at 14.6% or 178,000 people and Wales has 144,000 workers, 11.8%, below the rate.

The numbers are likely to top be higher now, as late last year, the Real Living Wage increased again to £10.90.

Bob Doris, Maryhill and Springburn SNP MSP, said Scotland was leading the UK.

Glasgow Times:

He said: “These figures show how Scotland is already leading the way in ensuring that workers across the country receive fair pay, but we can do more to build a fairer, more equal Scotland as an independent country.
 
“Workers across Scotland are facing one of the most difficult winters in living memory with the rising Tory cost of living crisis meaning everyone is forced to tighten their belts over the festive period.
 
“That is why it is very encouraging to see that workers across Scotland will have a bit extra in their pockets.”

The UK Government’s legal Living Wage is £9.50 an hour for people aged 23 and over.

In Scotland, the real living wage is £10.90, with 2900 employers accredited to the voluntary scheme.

Doris wants more employers to sign up to the Real Living Wage and pay above the legal minimum wage rates.

Doris added: “Although the figures are encouraging, there is more work to be done and I would ask all employers to pay their employees not just the minimum wage but the Living Wage so their employees have a better standard of living.”