DEFENCE chiefs pay hundreds of staff in Scotland less than the Living Wage — despite boasting about topping up soldiers’ earnings.

Around 220 civilian Ministry of Defence workers earn less than the £8.75- an-hour breadline figure, it has been revealed.

2 Tory Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson hiked pay for 8,000 military staff Credit: PA:Press Association

2 Nat MSP George Adam blasted blasted the boost

SNP chiefs branded it “utter hypocrisy” after Tory Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson hiked pay for 8,000 military staff on more than £26,000 a year to cancel out Scottish tax rises.

Critics insist the boost benefits higher paid top brass more than rank and file squaddies.

Nat MSP George Adam blasted: “If Tories are so concerned with equality, why aren’t they ensuring that all MoD staff are paid the Living Wage? It’s one rule for the elite and another for the rest of us.”

The Living Wage — different to the UK Government’s £7.83-an-hour National Living Wage — is an independent calculation of what people “need to get by”.

But an MoD freedom of information response confirmed: “The number of individuals employed in Scotland who are paid below the hourly rate of £8.75 is 220 — rounded to the nearest ten.

“The MoD pays over and above the National Living Wage that was increased to £7.83 per hour in April 2018.

“The Government has not formally signed up to the Living Wage Rates, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.”

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An MoD spokesman reiterated that it pays over and above the National Living Wage.

chris.musson@the-sun.co.uk

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