Rural Payments and Services

The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board will continue to protect the rights of low paid farm workers in Scotland, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced.

The decision follows a review and public consultation on the future of the body, which has the power to set minimum pay rates, holiday entitlement and certain other conditions of service for agricultural workers in Scotland. Orders made by the Board have the force of law.

New Scottish Government analysis published today found evidence that scrapping the Board would drive down wages, particularly for young apprentices and migrant workers.

It also found no evidence that abolishing the board would help create more jobs in farming. On the contrary, agricultural job growth in Scotland has outpaced that of England, where the wages board there was abolished in 2013 leading to a fall in wages for the lowest-paid agricultural workers.

The Rural Affairs Secretary said:

“Workers must be paid a fair wage for the job that they do. As well as being the right thing to do it is important in attracting people into the industry – which is vital for the future of Scottish agriculture.

“I have considered carefully the results of this review and responses to our consultation, in which a variety of views were expressed.

“The evidence in favour of retaining the Scottish Agriculture Wages Board is compelling. It continues to perform an important role in protecting the rights of farm workers – many of whom are paid low wages – which in turn underpins the rural economy.

“That is why I have decided to retain the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.”