THE UK living wage should be reformed and paid to all workers ending “age discrimination”, a Glasgow MP has said.

Currently, there are different rates for different age groups up to age 25 where the highest minimum rate of £7.83 per hour applies under the National Living Wage, which must be paid.

David Linden, Glasgow East SNP MP, wants the age barriers scrapped and has also urged businesses to pay the Real Living Wage of £8.75 per hour.

Mr Linden said: “The Tory government at Westminster is failing people across the UK – especially young people under 25 – with their refusal to introduce a real Living Wage, which would see the lowest paid gain a £5,000 annual pay boost.

“It is completely unacceptable that young workers are being discriminated against because of their age, with no account being taken of their needs, responsibilities and living costs. This New Year, employers should make a resolution to invest in their workforce.”

He said boosting the pay of younger workers would give many a pay rise of £5000 with the real Living Wage increasing to £10 by 2022.

The MP added: “This year, businesses across Scotland can make a New Year’s resolution that can really make a difference to their employees’ pockets, by paying their employees the real Living Wage as set by the Living Wage Foundation.  

“Millions of families across the UK have suffered from falling wages and squeezed incomes under the past decade of Tory austerity – the Chancellor dodged his chance to reform the UK Government’s National Living Wage but businesses themselves can ensure a fair and equal wage for all workers.”

The current National Living Wage rates are £7.83 per hour  for 25s and over, £7.38for 21 to 24 year olds, £5.90 for 18 to 20 year olds and  £4.20 for under 18s. 
The apprentice rate is £3.70 per hour.

The minimum rates are reviewed and set every April for the coming year. In April 2019 each of the rates will increase. The new rates will be £8.21 per hour for 25s and over, £7.70 for 21 to 24 year olds, £6.15 for 18 to 20 year olds and £4.35 for under 18s. 

The apprentice rate will also rise by 20p per hour to £3.90 per hour.

The real living wage set by the Living Wage Foundation as the minimum  required for a decent standard of living is paid by over 1000 employers in Scotland. Figures show 81.6 per cent of Scottish workers earn the Real Living Wage.