Rural Payments and Services

A single minimum hourly rate for all agricultural workers, irrespective of age and duties has been proposed by the Scottish Agricultural Wage Board (SAWB).

If approved, the minimum hourly rate would increase by 59p per hour to equal the UK Government’s National Living Wage of £9.50. The proposed headline minimum rates are:

• The overtime rate for all workers remains at 1.5 times the agreed hourly rate and will be £14.25 per hour
• An hourly rate of £5.95 – for workers who undertake an SCQF Level 4 or 5 or equivalent in Agriculture / Horticulture
• An additional sum of £1.41 per hour for workers who have appropriate qualifications

• Those working with dogs should receive an allowance of £7.01 per working dog up to a maximum of four dogs
• The daily rate for accommodation off-set for accommodation provided by an employer other than a house is to increase to £8.70

Background

Written representations should be sent to The SAWB at the address detailed below by 18 January 2022.

SAWB
Scottish Government
D Spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD

or email - SAWB@gov.scot

SAWB will meet again in January 2022 to consider any written representations received to the proposed increases. Following discussion on the representations received and if appropriate, SAWB members will then agree a Wages Order that will come into effect as from 1st April 2022.

The Scottish Agricultural Wage Board (SAWB) is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) established under the Agricultural Wage (Scotland) Act 1949. The Board exists to set minimum rates of pay and other conditions of service for agricultural workers in Scotland.