DIAGEO became the first major drinks company to become an accredited living wage employer.

The firm made the announcement from its cooperage site in Clacks last week, taking its place as the 900th organisation to make the pledge.

The whisky giant says it has also gone beyond the terms of the living wage accreditation by ensuring that all apprentices it employs in the UK are also paid above the living wage rate.

David Cutter, Diageo’s president of global supply and procurement, said: “Creating shared value for our employees, shareholders and communities is at the heart of everything Diageo does as a business.

"We value all our employees, working both directly and indirectly at our sites across the UK. For this reason we are pleased to partner with the Living Wage Foundation to become a living wage employer and to support the Scottish Government’s campaign to promote the living wage in Scotland.”

To mark the announcement, Wee County MSP Keith Brown, the cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, was welcomed to Cambus by Diageo apprentices – who are being trained in the centuries-old skills of crafting oak casks for Scotch whisky maturation

He added: "This commitment will mean that all third party contractors working full-time at offices and production sites, in addition to the 5,000 staff across the UK, will benefit from being paid a fair minimum rate.

“There is evidence that paying the living wage makes sense for businesses, improving wellbeing and productivity. I would encourage more businesses to recognise the benefits as we progress towards our target of 1,000 living wage accredited employers by autumn this year.”

Diageo's accreditation not only marks the 900 milestone, but means that one third of the FTSE 100 are now Living Wage accredited employers

Peter Kelly, director of The Poverty Alliance, which delivers Living Wage accreditation in Scotland, said: "I would like to congratulate Diageo on its accreditation and commitment to the Living Wage. I hope that other employers in the industry will follow suit and join the growing number of organisations who are recognised for paying a real Living Wage and who see the benefits in terms of retention, recruitment and improved reputation that come with gaining accreditation."

He added: "With more than half of children in poverty in Scotland living in a household where someone works, paying a real Living Wage that reflects the cost of living has never been more important."