GLASGOW Chamber of Commerce has begun a study on the impact of the Living Wage, with its members, and expects this will be completed by May.
Member businesses of all sizes, engaged in a variety of sectors, will be involved in what Glasgow Chamber describes as a "thorough review".
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber, recently highlighted the business organisation's desire to tackle the problem of in-work poverty and an intention to look at the Living Wage.
Announcing yesterday that the Living Wage impact review would start with immediate effect, Mr Patrick said: "Whilst supporting activity that enables individuals to grow earnings and enjoy the subsequent economic benefits, we also recognise that for businesses in some sectors this is a challenge.
"With this in mind, we have decided to undertake a full review, comprising a range of sectors and business sizes. This will start immediately and we hope to complete by May."
He added: "In exploring the debate, we have a number of forums to utilise, including the Glasgow Employer Board and consumer-led sector forums such as the City Centre Retailers Association. Further, we can access external groups, including the Glasgow Restaurant Association and the Greater Glasgow Hotels Association."
Mr Patrick recently highlighted the difficulties that the likes of pubs and restaurants might have in paying the Living Wage, and the fact that some other chamber members are advocates of ensuring this wage rate should be the minimum on offer. The UK Living Wage rate was in November raised to £7.85 per hour.
The decision to go ahead with the Living Wage impact study was taken this week at the first meeting of Glasgow Chamber's new council , which coincided with the business organisation's annual meeting on Monday.
At the annual meeting, Glasgow Chamber made four additions to its ruling council, drawn from the city's business community.
The new directors are Shona Austin, senior small and medium-sized enterprise banking manager for Bank of Scotland in Glasgow, Isabella Miller, head of department store chain John Lewis's Glasgow branch, Royal Bank of Scotland West of Scotland corporate and commercial banking director Jim McIntyre, and Andrew Dobbie, founder of graphic design, digital, branding and photography agency MadeBrave.
Nelson Andrews & Associates director Vic Emery continues as Glasgow Chamber president for a second year. His deputy is again Neil Amner, partner and head of construction, infrastructure and projects in Scotland for law firm DWF LLP.
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