A PERTHSHIRE funeral business has become the latest company to become an accredited living wage employer.

The living wage commitment will see everyone working at Aberfeldy-based Gaulds Funeral Directors – regardless of whether they are direct employees or third-party contracted staff – receive a minimum hourly wage of £8.75, significantly higher than the statutory minimum for over 25s of £7.83 per hour.

“As a family run business we are a close-knit team and we are always striving to better the conditions for our employees,” said director John Gauld. “We have a real mix in our work force from single mums to teenagers, so this real living wage gives fairer wages across the board. As a local business we will continue to look out for our employee’s welfare.”

Gaulds has nine members of staff and the youngest, 19-year-old Elliot Whitman, has benefited most out of the living wage accreditation.

“It’s great having a weekly wage at this hourly rate,” he said. “I am coming home with a bigger wage packet than almost all my friends.”

John Swinney MSP for Perthshire North, welcomed the news that Gaulds had become another Scottish company to become accredited as a living wage employer.

“The attitude that Gaulds Funeral Directors has shown towards the welfare of their staff is exemplary and speaks to the personal qualities of those in charge of the company,” he said.

“I would encourage any organisation to follow Gaulds Funeral Directors’ example by joining this worthwhile and important scheme.

“I also pay tribute to the work of Living Wage Scotland who, along with the Scottish Government, will fight tirelessly to ensure that Scotland becomes a living wage nation that rewards hard work with a fair salary.”

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance pointed out that the real living wage makes an impact on levels of in-work poverty in Scotland while there is also a strong business case for paying it.

“Crucially the real living wage allows those in work to become more included in society, better provide for their families, and feel that their value and hard work are recognised by their employer,” he said.

“We are delighted to congratulate Gaulds on becoming a living wage employer, joining the growing movement of over 1000 companies in Scotland who want to go further than the government minimum and recognise that living wage accreditation is the mark of a responsible employer. I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming accredited.”

The real living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually and is calculated according to the real costs of living.

The Westminster Government’s so-called “living wage” is merely a new minimum wage rate for staff over 25-years-old. It was introduced in April 2016 and the rate is £7.83 per hour as of April 2018. The government rate is based on median earnings while the Living Wage Foundation rate is calculated according to the cost of living.

The accreditation programme in Scotland launched in April 2014. It is an initiative from The Poverty Alliance, in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation, and is funded by the Scottish Government

More than 25,000 people in Scotland have had a pay rise thanks to the Living Wage Scotland and more than 1150 Scots employers have become accredited.