JENNY GILRUTH MSP COMMENDS DPS GROUP DURING LIVING WAGE WEEK 2020

Published date : 13 Nov 2020

Pay rise for thousands of Scots welcomed as Living Wage rate increases to £9.50

Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, is paying tribute to DPS Group – an accredited Living Wage employer – during Living Wage Week 2020.

The DPS Group, known best for their role in the creating new systems for Superglass in Stirling and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, have recently renewed their accreditation, and commitment, to the Living Wage cause.

DPS believes that it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their employees and their families maintain a quality standard of living and that ensuring employees are receiving the Living Wage in the current economic climate will also help to grow and repair the local economy.

The Living Wage is independently calculated based on the cost of living – with the real Living Wage currently at £9.50, which is above the minimum wage of £8.72 set by Westminster for workers aged over 25. There are currently over 60 accredited Living Wage employers in Fife.

The local MSP has been a long-time advocate of the Living Wage Foundation’s movement, and last year held a Members’ debate in the Scottish Parliament on the ‘Making Glenrothes a Living Wage Town’ campaign following the launch of Glenrothes’ bid to become the first living wage town in the UK.

Local MSP, Jenny Gilruth, said:

“The real Living Wage can make a huge difference to both workers and employers, particularly during these unprecedented times.

“Whilst this year has seen our valued local employers dealing with challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, I am delighted that there are over 60 employers in Fife who are accredited Living Wage employers – employing roughly 12% of Fife’s workforce.

“It is very welcome news that the real Living Wage has increased to £9.50, which will mean thousands of workers across Scotland will get a pay rise to help them meet their living costs during this really tough time.

”I am grateful to DPS Group, an innovative business based in Glenrothes, for their commitment to paying the Living Wage and ensuring that their employees’ pay accurately reflects the cost of living.

“For businesses like DPS, paying the Living Wage makes sense. It’s an investment in people and all the evidence shows it leads to increased productivity and reduced staff absence and turnover.

“Around 20 per cent of Scotland’s workforce earns less than the real Living Wage. With low pay one of the main drivers of in-work poverty, it is vital that employers who can pay the real Living Wage do so.

“I strongly encourage all employers in my constituency to look into the benefits of becoming an accredited Living Wage employer.”

Commenting, Mr Michael Scott, Group Financial Controller, of DPS Group said:

“It goes without saying that the last 7 months have been extremely challenging for businesses all across the UK. Like every other business, DPS Group has underwent various measures of cutting costs to ensure our business remains viable; both throughout the lockdown restrictions and as our country recovers from the pandemic.

“That being said, it is essential that businesses recognise and acknowledge that individuals and families are facing very similar challenges and cashflow difficulties. It is now more important than ever before that the Living Wage is maintained for employees.

“You are also potentially reducing the financial stress and worry for your employees, and there are multiple and significant benefits to a company by caring for employee’s wellbeing and mental health.

“DPS Group wants to send a clear message to staff, customers and suppliers – we are a responsible and caring company in the community.

“On a national level, there are already too many children and families in Scotland living in relative poverty – the Living Wage plays a small part in tackling this issue.

“We are proud to be a Living Wage employer and, having recently renewed our accreditation and commitment to the initiative, encourage other businesses in the community to do so as well.”

For more information on the Living Wage Foundation, please visit: www.livingwage.org.uk

For more information about DPS Group, please visit: www.dp-sgroup.co.uk

For more information about the rise in Living Wage, please visit: www.livingwage.org.uk/what-real-living-wage

Glenrothes Gazette, Courier (Fife), LOCAL BUSINESS, FINANCE & ECONOMY