SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, John Mason, has welcomed Glasgow City Council’s decision to increase the living wage from £7.15 an hour to £7.20.

The Shettleston MSP, who has argued for the living wage to be rolled out into the private sector, is calling on Glasgow City Council Leader, Gordon Matheson, to be consistent and ensure that the living wage is also paid by the Council’s contractors and to temporary staff.

In a recent exchange with Finance Secretary John Swinney at Holyrood, Mr Mason called for Scotland to have powers to set the National Minimum Wage, which would have the effect of the living wage being extended to the private sector.

SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Shettleston, John Mason, commented:

“It’s time for Gordon Matheson to step up to the mark and be consistent here. Yes, it’s good that the Council is increasing the living wage but if Councillor Matheson really believes, that for many people, work is the best and most suitable route out of poverty – as I do – then he should be consistent and ensure that Council contractors and temporary staff are also paid a living wage. It’s only fair.

“As I said in Holyrood a fortnight ago, I would go one step further and ensure that the private sector is also committed to paying this living wage. The National Minimum Wage is too low and both the previous Labour and now coalition governments have done absolutely nothing to pay a minimum wage that truly reflects today’s cost of living”.