SHOPWORKERS in Scotland are “missing meals to pay bills” and “relying on unsecured loans,” their union Usdaw said at Scottish Labour conference yesterday.

Usdaw said the SNP government was failing to tackle the issue of in-work poverty.

The union’s divisional officer for Scotland Stewart Forrest said: “Too many jobs in Scotland are insecure, without guaranteed hours or income.

“This has contributed to a shocking 52 per cent increase in the number of children living in poverty in a household with a working parent since 2010.”

He said the union’s Time for Better Pay survey had found that at least 470,000 Scottish workers have to “rely on unsecured loans to pay essential bills.”

Mr Forrest pointed that 55 per cent of them are struggling with the repayments.

Furthermore, Usdaw’s evidence suggests that 10 per cent of working people in Scotland are likely to be missing meals to pay bills.

Mr Forrest added: “It is clear that it is time for better pay. We are calling on Scottish Labour to support and campaign for a better deal for low-paid workers.”