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Political devolution and employment relations in Great Britain: the case of the Living Wage

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  • Edmund Heery
  • Deborah Hann
  • David Nash

Abstract

This article examines the role of the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales in promoting the voluntary Living Wage. It shows that active promotion of the Living Wage standard has emerged in both countries from a broader commitment to an economic policy of ‘inclusive growth’. Employment law is not a devolved matter, and the article identifies a broad range of economic incentives and soft forms of regulation that have been used by the devolved governments to promote the Living Wage in the absence of hard power to legislate. Non‐legislative forms of state intervention are often regarded sceptically, but the article shows that the attempts of devolved governments to spread the Living Wage have been impactful, particularly in Scotland.

Suggested Citation

  • Edmund Heery & Deborah Hann & David Nash, 2020. "Political devolution and employment relations in Great Britain: the case of the Living Wage," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(5), pages 391-409, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:51:y:2020:i:5:p:391-409
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12306
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baccaro,Lucio & Howell,Chris, 2017. "Trajectories of Neoliberal Transformation," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107018723, Enero-Abr.
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    3. Baccaro,Lucio & Howell,Chris, 2017. "Trajectories of Neoliberal Transformation," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107603691, Enero-Abr.
    4. Deborah Foster, 2015. "Devolution and disabled workers: the experiences of union equality representatives in Wales," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(2), pages 153-168, March.
    5. Peter Prowse & Ray Fells, 2016. "The Living Wage – Policy And Practice," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(2), pages 144-162, March.
    6. Sarah Ayres & Matthew Flinders & Mark Sandford, 2018. "Territory, power and statecraft: understanding English devolution," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(6), pages 853-864, June.
    7. Neil Lee, 2019. "Inclusive Growth in cities: a sympathetic critique," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(3), pages 424-434, March.
    8. Ana Lopes & Timothy Hall, 2015. "Organising migrant workers: the living wage campaign at the University of East London," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 208-221, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ian Cunningham & Philip James & Alina Baluch, 2022. "The influence of ‘soft’ fair work regulation on union recovery: A case of re‐recognition in the Scottish voluntary social care sector," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(3), pages 261-277, May.
    2. Melanie Simms, 2024. "The dynamics shaping experiences and prospects of employer coordination in a Liberal Market Economy: The case of Scotland," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 45(3), pages 606-628, August.

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