TO MARK the beginning of Living Wage Week, Richard Leonard has been out meeting living wage employers and visited the Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, which has recently become an accredited living wage employer.

Scottish Labour leadership contender, Richard Leonard said: “It was fantastic to meet the dedicated staff at the Macrobert Arts Centre and to celebrate them becoming a living wage employer. Hearing about their exciting programme of events shows that we have much to be proud of in our arts and culture, which is why I included a detailed series of plans in my manifesto to promote and support the arts industry in Scotland.

“At the heart of it is fair pay for artists- All companies, organisations and individuals in receipt of public funding will be required to commit to paying employees a real living wage, as a minimum, and to pay proper trade union rates where appropriate. This will be a requirement of receipt of public funding.”

“It is such an important time to value the fantastic work that goes on in the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland. We really appreciate this recognition of Macrobert Arts Centre as a major creative industries employer and would encourage everyone to consider the arts and creativity in their political choices.” #creativitymatters

Julie Ellen, Artistic Director

Richard then went on a tour of Clackmannanshire visiting Sauchie Active 8, meeting Labour councillors, doing a telephone campaigning session in Alloa and also visiting the Trade Unions as part of a listening exercise that he is conducting around local authorities and the deep cuts that they have faced over the last decade.