Around 6,000 local people would get a pay rise under Labour’s plan for a £10 per hour living wage, analysis has revealed.

Analysis from the House of Commons library has shown there are 6,000 people in East Lothian who are earning less than the living wage.

As part of Labour’s commitments to improving the lives of working people across the UK, it will raise the Minimum Wage to the level of the Living Wage, which is expected to be at least £10 per hour by 2020, for all workers aged 18 or over, so that work pays.

Labour will abolish the lower youth rate, making everyone over 18 entitled to the Real Living Wage. This means that 21-24 year olds currently earning the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will be better off by over £4,500 in 2020.

Local MP Martin Whitfield said:

“Under Labour 6,000 people here in East Lothian would get a pay rise with our £10 per hour real living wage.

“Too many people are one big bill away from really struggling. That simply isn’t good enough. Labour will always fight for better jobs and better wages.

“After years of stagnating pay, Scotland needs a pay rise -; a Labour government run for the many, not the privileged few, will deliver it.”