The Scottish Government has made paying the real Living Wage a requirement for firms who receive public grants, helping to increase the number of people benefiting.
More than 16,000 businesses across the UK pay staff at this level, with Swinney saying this means Scotland has “proportionately around five times as many real Living Wage employers”.
About 72,000 employees across Scotland are now paid at least this level and Swinney says that the higher wages can help them deal with the rising cost of living.
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He added that the Living Wage – currently set at £13.45 an hour for workers outside of London – also helped with “supporting a fairer, more equal society”.
Speaking at the start of Living Wage week, the First Minister said: “Ensuring people are paid fairly is crucial to keep people out of poverty.
“The real Living Wage helps to make sure that salaries keep pace with the rising cost of living – supporting a fairer, more equal society.
“Paying the real Living Wage has significant benefits for employers, including improving staff retention and motivation. It also helps to increase spending in local economies, in turn boosting economic growth.
“I am pleased that we now have now reached a record accredited real Living Wage 4000 employers, meaning that Scotland has proportionately around five times as many real Living Wage employers compared to the rest of the UK.
“That is very positive news, and we will continue to encourage more businesses to sign up – recognising the benefits for employers and employees alike.”
Swinney spoke out on a visit to Edinburgh’s Capital City Partnership, which works to tackle inequalities and support people into employment.
Its chief executive, Rona Hunter, said: “Capital City Partnerships is committed to the Living Wage as part of our remit to tackle poverty and inequality and raise household incomes.
“This commitment is also based on our work with supporting employers, where we see how accreditation hugely helps employers to attract and retain staff and improves productivity and staff well-being.
“The benefits are real and measurable and it supports people and business.”
