We were delighted to have a visit from Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister today. Read about her reason for the visit in the press release below.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: OUR PLAN FOR CHANGE WILL MAKE WORK PAY IN SCOTLAND
- Deputy PM Angela Rayner promises to Make Work Pay in Scotland through the UK Government’s flagship Employment Rights Bill – the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.
- Figures show Central Scotland will see the biggest boost of any region of the UK from key measures.
- Deputy PM will hear from Glasglow employers already leading the way with strong workers’ rights like guaranteed hours that mutually benefit their business and staff.
Around 100,000 of the lowest paid workers in Scotland on zero hours contracts are set to benefit from new legal protections at work that are being brought forward by the UK Government in its flagship Employment Rights Bill.
The percentage of workers on zero hours contracts in Scotland has more than doubled since 2013, showing the growing need for action to protect workers struggling on unpredictable, insecure pay.
While the Bill makes its way through Parliament, the UK Government is taking swift action to ensure workers on lower pay will quickly benefit from the new protections. Already the Government has delivered one of the biggest pay boost on record to both the national minimum and living wages.
These increases will see a boost of £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker and a record rise of £2,500 for 18 to 20-year-olds in full time work. From April, around 100,000 workers in Scotland will start to see these major uplifts to their income.
The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will be in Glasgow today (Thursday, January 9th) to reaffirm her commitment to making work pay in Scotland and seeing best practice already in place by Scottish employers like McAllister Litho – a small business already leading the way with fair practices like guaranteed hours and flexible working.
The Deputy PM will also visit BAE Systems to mark its recently signed contract with the Ministry of Defence for a new Ship Building Hall, which will create around 1,700 new jobs and improve opportunities for people in Scotland.
These commitments are all part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change – a relentless focus on the priorities of working people to unlock wealth creation and improve living standards everywhere, including Scotland. It commits to kickstarting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity, with significant reforms like the Employment Rights Bill being critical to its success.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:
“This is a government on the side of Scottish workers. Our landmark plan to Make Work Pay has already delivered one of the biggest pay boosts on record – and it is working people in Scotland who will benefit the most.”
"Our Employment Rights Bill will make work pay in Scotland and tackle the insecurity, inequality and low pay that have held back workers and businesses for too long.
"We know there is business appetite to get going with our reforms and create a more modern, healthier and productive workforce – with businesses like McAllister Litho already leading the way.
The UK Government is working closely with partners to ensure workers in Scotland get the maximum benefit from the Employment Rights Bill. All workers in Scotland will benefit from new protections like Statutory Sick Pay from day one of illness, flexible working as the default and banning exploitative zero hours contracts.
General Secretary at the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Roz Foyer said:
“The Employment Rights Bill, if fully enacted, can be the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights seen for a generation. Empowering workers to take a role in the setting of shifts and working hours is a win-win, boosting worker satisfaction and productivity .
“We look forward to working with the UK Government, unions and employer organisations to ensure every worker from every nation has these same rights and same sense of empowerment.”
Managing Director at McAllister Litho, Janette McAllister said:
“Flexibility has always been part of our ethos, our team has the freedom to structure their shifts within our factory’s operational hours, ensuring a balance that works for them while meeting business needs.
“As Managing Director, I’m proud of the trust and collaboration this creates, it’s what makes us a successful and people focused business. As I often say, “We’re a team, and when we support each other, everyone benefits.”