The Poverty Alliance, which runs the Living Wage Accreditation scheme in Scotland, has indicated that more than 100,000 employees of accredited companies are now benefiting.

The current living wage rate involves employers paying staff at least £7.85 an hour — more than £1 higher that the National Minimum Wage.

Around 32 employers have joined the accreditation scheme recently and the majority were private sector companies like McKean Developments.

The First Minister said: “It is great news that 100 companies are now accredited as Living Wage employers. The Scottish Government fully supports the Living Wage campaign and we recognise the real difference the living wage makes to the working people of Scotland.

“The Scottish Government is not able to set pay levels in the private sector, or indeed the wider public sector in Scotland where employees are not covered by our pay policy, however we do encourage all public, private and third sector organisations to ensure all staff on lower incomes receive a fair level of pay, and we are funding the Poverty Alliance to take forward the accreditation scheme.

“The list of 100 accredited companies clearly demonstrates it is not big businesses who are providing a fairer deal for their staff but small companies like McKean Developments Ltd which is guaranteeing the Living Wage for their staff.” McKean was founded in 2002 and they have been in their current premises for about four years. They work UK-wide and have a niche product that involves bolting on balconies to high rise flats. All the staff are specially trained and the company primarily works on social housing projects for local authorities. The vast majority of their work is in the public sector and, as secretary Jackie McKean explained, that’s one of the main reasons why the firm chose to sign up.

She said: “We were watching the TV during the ‘Living Wage Week’ and the rate of pay was mentioned. I said to Charlie (director Charles McKean) we already pay that so I think it would be a good idea to apply for the Living Wage accreditation. It all materialized from there and then it turned out we were the 100th company in Scotland to be accredited.

“We think it would be great if other companies, especially companies that survive on public sector contracts, would also sign up. I think that should be a prerequisite to winning work for the government: that everybody employed by that company was receiving a living wage. Colin McLean, sales and technical manager, added: “As a Living Wage employer it is our belief that our workforce deserve to be paid an honest and decent wage in return for their services. It’s that simple.

“This, in turn, has helped increase both production capability and morale within our business, leading to increased customer satisfaction and a top quality finished product, not to mention a better quality of life for all of our employees.” Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “We look forward to working with McKeans, and all Scotland’s accredited employers, to ensure that we all benefit from the Living wage.” MSP Stewart Maxwell said too many families are being pushed into poverty despite having a family member in employment.

He added: “That’s why local companies who pay the living wage, like McKean Development, are so important. Not only do Colin and Jackie McKean offer their staff a fair wage, which helps boosts standard of living, they act as an example to other businesses about the affordability and desirability of being a Living Wage employer.”