Politicians, charities and campaigners have been giving their backing to SSE’s introduction of The Living Wage.
“This is fantastic news, and I would like to congratulate SSE on this decision as they join those employers paying a Living Wage in Glasgow. We were the first city in Scotland to introduce this policy, and the Glasgow Living Wage has proved to be a great success, improving the lives of thousands of people and their families and aiding the city’s economy. I am delighted that SSE will pay a living wage that will benefit not only some of their employees in the city, but also in their wider supply chain in Scotland and beyond.“
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council
"Save the Children welcomes SSE taking a lead by becoming the first energy supplier to become a Living Wage employer. Employers have a vital role to play as part of the solution to child poverty in the UK - they should be proud of taking action like this.”
William Higham, Director of UK Poverty Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, Save the Children
“As members of the Scottish Living Wage Campaign we welcome SSE accreditation as a Living Wage employer as a huge step forward in the drive to tackle the low pay that puts too many families at risk of poverty across Scotland. It demonstrates the positive role major businesses can play in improving the lives of employees and their families and will hopefully now encourage many more employers in Scotland to pay a Living Wage.”
John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, members of the Scottish Living Wage Campaign
“We warmly welcome SSE’s decision to become an accredited Living Wage Employer. It is a significant move not only for the SSE staff who will directly benefit from the move, but also for the development of the case for a living wage in Scotland. SSE are a large private sector company, and as such they are showing the way for other companies, showing that there is more that can be done to support the lowest paid staff. The living wage has been shown to make a real difference to the lives of the staff that are affected, and to the companies that paid the living wage. By including a living wage clause in contracts with subcontractors SSE will also ensure that more companies being to understand the importance of paying the living wage.”
Peter Kelly, Director, The Poverty Alliance
“SSE’s commitment to a Living Wage demonstrates their leadership in striving to provide all employees with a chance for a decent standard of living. It will strengthen their employee engagement and role as an employer of choice. It also heralds a step change in how employers in all sectors need to look at their role in tackling poverty and sharing wealth. We are delighted that as a member company of Scottish Business in the Community SSE are leading the way in implementing the Living Wage.”
Jane Wood, CEO Scottish Business in the Community September 2013
“SSE Plc has a well deserved reputation as a forward looking business who have put sustainability at the heart of their vision. This is yet another example of their responsible leadership and a fine example for others to follow. Paying the Living Wage is good for business and good for society.”
Craig Anderson, Senior Partner KPMG Scotland (and member of Living Wage Advisory Council)
“I am delighted that SSE has signed up to the Living Wage. As a UNISON member, we, as a union, have campaigned for all employers across the United Kingdom to sign up to the commitment of Living Wage for several years. I am proud to work for a company that recognises that this is the morally right thing to do. I am equally pleased that SSE will also ensure - through our procurement process, all our contractors will benefit from our commitment to pay a living wage to all.”
Kirsty Johnston, Unison Branch Secretary, SSE Scotland
“It is good to see SSE taking a lead in becoming a living wage employer. Not only is it good for SSE’s staff, but it also sends a positive message to other companies who may now decide to follow suit. Scottish Liberal Democrats are committed to building a stronger economy and a fairer society. This move by SSE is a small but important step towards helping achieve this and I applaud their efforts.”
Liam McArthur MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrat energy spokesperson
“This is a very welcome announcement and all credit to SSE for leading the way in committing to fair and ethical employment conditions for staff and contractors. I hope other companies look at this and follow suit. Providing a living wage not only helps employees but it can also improve productivity as staff are more content in their roles. There are other strong economic benefits as well including improved workers attendance and retention which can only be good for Scottish business. The living wage campaign is central to efforts to build a Scotland and a UK which is prosperous and fair.”
Iain Gray MSP, Scottish Labour’s Finance spokesman