Published at 21:38, Wednesday, 23 May 2012

ELAINE Murray MSP for Dumfriesshire has welcomed a wage boost for farm workers.

The basic rate of pay for agricultural workers with fewer than 26 weeks of continuous employment will rise by 11p an hour to £6.22, bringing the minimum wage for a 39-hour week to £242.58.

The basic rate of pay for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks of continuous employment will increase by 19p an hour to £6.86, bringing the minimum wage for a 39-hour week to £267.54.

Dr Murray said: “This welcome increase in wages is testament to the important role the Scottish agricultural wages board plays as a protector of decent wages and underlines why it would be so detrimental for farming communities if the SNP’s upcoming review results in the scrapping of the board.”

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