Scotland to push minimum farm wage up by 4.85%
© FLPA/Wayne Hutchinson/REX/Shutterstock All farm workers in Scotland should be paid a minimum of £8.21/hour, according to the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB).
The SAWB has agreed from 1 April 2019 the minimum hourly rate for workers, irrespective of age or duties, should rise by 4.85% from £7.83 to £8.21, in line with the national living wage (NLW).
Scotland’s wages board has taken a different approach to elsewhere in the UK, where there are lower minimum wage levels set for workers under the age of 25.
For example, from April 2019 in England the national minimum wage for a worker aged 21 to 24 will be £7.70/hour, as workers need to be 25 to get the NLW.
See also: £5,000 grants on offer to promote local food in Scotland
The board also proposed an increase of 30p in the hourly rate to £5.30 for workers who undertake an Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level four or five modern apprenticeship in agriculture or equivalent qualification.
There will also be an increase of 5p, to £1.25/hour, in the additional sum offered to workers who have an appropriate qualification.
The dog allowance will be increased to £6.24/week for each dog up to a maximum of four dogs.
The daily rate of the accommodation off-set for accommodation other than a house will rise to £7.55.
How business owners and workers can respond to the proposals
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has asked for written representations regarding the revised rates to be sent to by 11 January 2019. The address is SAWB, D Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD.
The board will meet again on 15 January to consider any feedback.
After that discussion, SAWB members will agree a wages order that will come into effect on 1 April 2019.