Green MSP Patrick Harvie said people would not have to rely on benefit top-ups with a £10 minimum wage.
People should be paid a decent wage so they do not have to rely on benefit support, according to Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie.
Someone receiving the current minimum wage of £6.50 will earn around £12,500 a year. However, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation a single working person must earn more than £17,100 for an adequate standard of living, including food and support.
The Greens said under its plans to lift the minimum wage to £10 by 2020, a single working person will see their annual wage lifted to £19,240.
While out campaigning in Glasgow, Mr Harvie said: “We’re a wealthy nation and it’s unacceptable that so many workers still struggle to make ends meet.
“Rather than allow big firms to pay poverty wages and expecting the state to top them up through the benefits system, we should start raising the minimum wage to a meaningful level to match the cost of living.
“Many firms already pay the Living Wage and we need to build on that. Small businesses deserve support and other Scottish Green policies to streamline regulation and tackle business rates would help level the playing field.”
General Election 2015: Greens propose £10 minimum wage to lift living standards
