Question reference: S6W-18375
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 25 May 2023 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 6 June 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action public bodies can take to ensure that their procurement processes help drive down the use of zero-hours contracts in Scotland.
Answer
Through our Fair Work First policy, we are applying Fair Work criteria to as many public contracts as we can. Employers are being asked to commit to adopting a range of fair work practices including: no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts; and fair pay including payment of the real Living Wage.
The Scottish Government considers fair pay as a clear way that an employer can demonstrate a commitment to their workforce alongside wider Fair Work First criteria. We routinely apply Fair Work criteria including the real Living Wage in our contracts. And while public bodies are responsible for their own procurement decisions, we are engaging with relevant sectors to encourage this approach across the whole of the public sector in Scotland.
- In May 2021 we published updated statutory guidance issued under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 to reflect development of the Scottish Government’s policy on Fair Work First, including payment of the real Living Wage and its application within Scottish public procurement.
- We are updating our best practice guidance to support the practical application of Fair Work First through public procurement.
- We have developed tools and guidance to help public bodies identify and address how they can optimise the economic, social and environmental outcomes of their procurement activity. These include a focus on Fair Work First including the real Living Wage.