Rate of record
Scotland vs the rest of the UK
The NMW is reserved to Westminster. Holyrood adds Fair Work First procurement requirements, Real Living Wage payment as a condition of public-sector contracts, and a devolved Agricultural Wages Order.
What's reserved, what's devolved
- Reserved (UK): NMW rates, NMW enforcement, employment law generally.
- Devolved (Scotland): Agricultural Wages Order, public procurement conditions, Fair Work First framework, public-sector pay policy.
Fair Work First
Public bodies in Scotland are required to apply Fair Work First criteria when awarding grants and contracts. The criteria include payment of the Real Living Wage, no inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts, an effective worker voice, and investment in workforce developmentgov.scot.
Agricultural Wages Order (Scotland)
Scotland sets agricultural wage rates separately through the AWO. Includes grade-based pay, dog allowance for working dogs, and accommodation loadings. The UK NMW remains the binding floor; AWO rates are above itgov.scot.
Public-sector pay policy
The Scottish Government's annual pay policy applies a higher pay floor for its own workforce (well above NMW), and supports the Real Living Wage as a condition of grant funding to third-sector and arms-length bodies.