This Living Wage Week, BEAR Scotland is celebrating becoming an accredited Living Wage employer. BEAR Scotland is a leading road maintenance and management firm, headquartered in Perth, which employs over 900 people.

This Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at BEAR Scotland receive the real Living Wage. This rate is higher than the government minimum.

In Scotland, 91% of all jobs pay at least the real Living Wage; this is higher than any other UK nation. Despite this, nearly 1 in 10 jobs still pay less than the real Living Wage which equates to 221,000 jobs.

The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay.

Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 64,000 people in Scotland and put over £485 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.

Iain Murray, BEAR Scotland Managing Director said:

“We value our people and this commitment to ensuring all employees across the entire business get a fair wage that takes account of the cost of living is testament to that.”

Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said:

“We all need an income that is enough to cover our needs and protect us from poverty, and it’s only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living. Too many workers in Scotland are paid less than the real Living Wage and, at a time of rising costs, are struggling to stay afloat. The real Living Wage can offer protection from those rising costs.

“Congratulations to BEAR Scotland on their Living Wage commitment, I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”

Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said:

“We’re delighted that BEAR Scotland has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of over 3400 accredited employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need.

“Key employers like BEAR Scotland are helping to set the standard and we hope to see many more employers following their example.”