Labour Vote Against Living Wage

Iain Gray has faced criticism after joining with the Tories to vote against a Living Wage for care workers and increased investment in tackling the attainment gap in the Scottish Parliament this week.

At Stage 3 of the Budget (Scotland) Bill last week, Iain Gray voted against the Scottish Government package – which will deliver an additional £80 million of funding available to raise attainment, provide funding to local authorities to pay the Living Wage to care workers and record funding for Scotland’s NHS.

Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:

“This is a budget which delivers funding for East Lothian Council to deliver the Living Wage to local care workers and which invests even more in tackling the attainment gap between rich and poor in our schools – and the idea that Iain Gray would join with the Tories to vote against these progressive measures simply beggars belief.

“With care workers and children from deprived backgrounds in communities across East Lothian set to benefit from this Budget – Iain Gray will have to answer to people in East Lothian for his decision.

“It’s clear that Labour aren’t remotely interested in doing what’s best for East Lothian – they’re far more concerned with launching failing party political attacks against the SNP and trumpeting their unworkable, bag of a fag packet policies which they have absolutely no intention of delivering.

“In contrast, the SNP in government is getting on with the job of delivering for Scotland – with a budget protecting public services in the face of Tory austerity, making our country fairer by tackling the attainment gap, and delivering a pay-rise for low-paid workers rather than a tax-rise.

“With the election just weeks away, this is a Budget the SNP can be proud to stand on – and Iain Gray will have to explain his decision to once again stand side by side with the Tories.”