Just get on with the job

Opposition parties slam Robison move

- John Ferguson

A Scottish Government demand for full devolution of “employment powers” to Holyrood has been furiously criticised by opposition parties.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison will write to the UK Government next week asking for new control over working conditions and pay.

The SNP minister wants to be able to legislate for a Real Living Wage of £9.50, ban firing and rehiring on diminished terms, and outlaw inappropriate zero-hour contracts.

She has already contacted Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie and Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater urging them to support the negotiations.

But the move has been angrily denounced as a “predictable political fight” and attempt to “distract from failure”.

A Labour spokesman said: “Employment powers and poverty are incredibly serious issues which should not be bandied around for press purposes by cabinet ministers.

“Instead of focusing on a national recovery, we’re seeing the minister pick a predictable political fight.”