My family firm pays the real living wage, says Scottish Labor leader after gaffe

Anas Sarwar: “I was asked a question, and I gave, in my opinion, the correct answer. It turned out that this is not so' Photo: Colin Fisher/Alamy 4223678de837.html?direct=true&id=bc72b371-0215-4d99-b27b-4223678de837&template=articleRendererHTML' class='tmg-particle Sticky-nav wrp-bc72b371-0215-4d99-b27b-4223678de837' title= Information business “General Elections” -type='editorial' loading='eager' scroll='no' Frameborder='0'allow='web-share' style='width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: relative; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;'>

The Scottish Labor leader said he was wrong to claim his family business did not pay its staff a real living wage.

Anas Sarwar told the BBC on Sunday that United Wholesale, a company set up by his father and now run by others family members, did not pay all his workers the rate of 12 pounds per hour.

The admission was seized upon by Labor Party opponents, who accused Mr Sarwar of hypocrisy in light of Sir Keir Starmer's plans to improve workers' pay and conditions.

However, on Sunday the Usdaw union said that United Wholesale workers are actually paying the real living wage under the new wage deal, meaning the Scottish leader has made a serious mistake.

'I thought this was the right answer.

Mr Sarwar said: “I was asked a question and I gave what I think is the correct answer. However, it turned out that this was not the case.

«The media should have contacted the business or union for clarification rather than contacting a third party who had nothing to do with it.»

Mr Sarwar previously divested himself of his stake in the Glasgow firm. although his wife is still a shareholder.

The company reported a turnover of £270 million and profits of £21.7 million in 2022. the most recent accounts are signed by Mr. Sarwar's brother Asim, who is a director of the company.

It is largely a cash business and also operates convenience store franchises Day-Today and U-Save.< /p>

The Scottish Labor leader said he doesn't trust «every employee» of his family firm to they pay a living wage.

On Monday he said his mistake proved he had no role in running the company.

Mr Sarwar also pointed to reports that the SNP were hiring workers on zero-hours contracts to deliver leaflets for Rutherglen. and the Hamilton West by-election.

When asked whether the Scottish National Party pays its staff a living wage, First Minister John Swinney told BBC Scotland News: «We pay staff at our party headquarters a living wage, yes.»