More than 1,000 young people in Dundee will miss out on a pay rise despite a much touted increase in the minimum wage, new analysis suggests.
Scottish party leader Willie Rennie accused the Conservatives of declaring war on the young after Low PayCommission data was studied to show almost 40,000 people will not see their pay increase when the minimum wage rises to £7.20 next year.
The new level will only apply toworkers aged 25 or older, leaving young workers across Scotland poised to miss out on the benefit.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP MrRennie said: “The Tories in London have declared war on young people inScotland and we have not heard a peep from Ruth Davidson on what she will do to try and block these damaging plans.
“These figures show tens of thousands of young people in Scotland will miss out on a pay increase next year.
“George Osborne has said that he is listening now he needs to prove it and stop his attacks on young people.”
Scottish Conservative enterprise spokesman Murdo Fraser hit back, pointing out that the new minimum wage has been praised by anti-poverty campaigners.
He said: “After the Liberal Democrats infamous U-turn on tuition fees, it is the height of cheek for them to accuseanyone else of letting down youngpeople. The Lib Dems seem to be totally confused as to the difference between the national minimum wage, which is independently set, and the new national living wage to tackle low pay, being introduced from next April.”
The figures were published as the Scottish Government announcedhundreds of employers have agreed to pay their lowest-earning staff a fifth more than the minimum wage.
It will also be announced today that the voluntary living wage is rising from £7.85 an hour to £8.25.