The milestone was announced by First Minister John Swinney at the beginning of Living Wage Week. He praised the scheme as “crucial to keep people out of poverty” and helping to ensure that salaries “keep pace with the rising cost of living”.

The Scottish Government has supported the initiative by making payment of the real Living Wage a requirement for organisations receiving public grants. Mr Swinney noted that Scotland now has proportionately five times as many accredited employers as the rest of the UK.

Beyond supporting employees, the First Minister highlighted the “significant benefits for employers, including improving staff retention and motivation” and boosting local economies.

The announcement was made at Edinburgh’s Capital City Partnership, which works to tackle inequality. Rona Hunter, its chief executive, said accreditation “hugely helps employers to attract and retain staff and improves productivity and staff well-being”.

Living Wage Week celebrates the independently calculated rate, which rose from £12.60 to £13.45 an hour in October 2025.