Martin Whitfield MSP has helped to mark this year’s Living Wage Week (15-21 November) by visiting local family run business and accredited Living Wage employer George Anderson and Sons at its distribution centre in Macmerry.

The South Scotland MSP, who became an accredited Living Wage employer himself last month, met with Karen Robertson to discuss the fresh produce distributor’s decision to become a Living Wage employer, as well as some of the challenges the business and its staff have faced through the Covid pandemic.

In addition to the additional financial and logistical pressures faced by many businesses, George Anderson and Son’s also played an important role in the community resilience response in East Lothian and other areas by helping ensure that the most vulnerable received the food they needed during lockdown.

Speaking after the visit, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“The number of employers in East Lothian and across the South of Scotland paying the real living wage is growing week by week and I welcome the example they’re setting. Living Wage Week is a great opportunity to celebrate this progress and promote the various benefits for both employers and employees of paying the real living wage.

“I’m grateful to Karen for taking the time out to meet with me and chat about George Anderson and Sons and its commitment to treating its workforce fairly. The real living wage is only one aspect of that wider approach but it’s certainly a very welcome and important one.

“Karen also told me about the amazing effort her team have made to help keep local people, especially some of the most vulnerable, fed during the pandemic and lockdown. The contribution of businesses like George Anderson and Sons and their employees has been vital, and I thank them for everything they’ve done to support local communities.”

Further information about this year’s Living Wage Week can be found at https://scottishlivingwage.org/living-wage-week/