The majority of adults and children in poverty are living in households where at least one person is working, according to official research.

One Holyrood minister described the findings as an "absolute scandal" and called for more bosses to sign up to the Government's Living Wage.

The research shows 52per cent of adults are in in-work poverty, meaning they live in a household where at least one adult is working, and that number is increasing.

It also found 59per cent of children are living in households with someone in employment.

Fair Work Minister Roseanna Cunningham said women, young people, older people, people without qualifications, ethnic minorities, lone parents and disabled people are most likely to be low paid.

She added: "It is an absolute scandal that the majority of working age adults in poverty in Scotland, indeed throughout the UK, are living in households where at least one adult is in employment. And for children that figure is 59 per cent."

Ms Cunningham said the low paid are being affected by an erosion of workers' rights and by changes to the UK welfare system.

She said: "Well-rewarded and sustained employment is the best route out of poverty, for those who are able to work, and one of the best ways to tackle inequality.

"This is why we are prioritising the promotion of the Living Wage and working closely with the Poverty Alliance to encourage more employers to sign up to the Living Wage accreditation scheme.

"Business productivity goes hand in hand with fair and equal pay. We must all be fully committed to fair work."

Labour's Ken Macintosh called for more action from the Scottish Government to tackle inequality, and challenged the SNP administration to match Labour's policies.

"I think we have the right to know where the SNP stands on the redistribution of wealth.

"This is a basic Scottish Labour Party principle and it's reflected in our policy choices."

Mr Macintosh said his party had pledged to restore a 50p top rate of tax, introduce a mansion tax and tax bankers' bonuses.

"Why will the SNP not match us on those promises?" he said.

Conservative and Liberal Democrat MSPs defended the record of the UK coalition Government on tackling poverty and inequality.

Tory MSP Alex Johnstone said: "While wealth is being created in Scotland, while jobs are being created in Scotland and jobs are being taken up in Scotland, we are not delivering the opportunity for our young people to get into these jobs in sufficient numbers."