LIVING WAGE WEEK 2015

That this House welcomes Living Wage Week 2015 which has seen a 40 pence increase in the living wage to £8.25, calculated independently and set by the Living Wage Foundation in partnership with the Poverty Alliance in Scotland; notes the new rate is nearly a fifth higher than the current national minimum wage and more than £1 higher than the Government's new minimum wage premium for over-25s of £7.20 per hour; further notes the role of the Scottish Government, which is a living wage accredited employer, in promoting the living wage whereby more than 370 firms in Scotland have become accredited; and acknowledges the increase in the number of companies and organisations signing up to become living wage accredited, but regrets that hon. Members appear to be excluded from becoming accredited even when they pay their staff the living wage.