NICOLA STURGEON has pledged to increase the minimum wage to £8.70 by 2020 in a move that will make a quarter-of-a-million people in Scotland up to £4,000 a year better off.

She told the Scottish TUC’s annual congress in Ayr that a team of SNP MPs would also honour manifesto commitments to support a rise in the Employment Allowance, back increases in the personal tax and work allowances and support efforts to end zero-hour contracts.

Sturgeon said the SNP Government would always champion the positive role unions and collective bargaining could play in ensuring decent pay and working conditions.

She said: “My Cabinet is one of only three in the developed world to have a 50/50 gender split. But we’re also launching a major drive – called 50/50 by 2020 – to encourage gender equality in public, private and third sector boardrooms.

“And we will champion the case for equal pay. The Equal Pay Act was passed the year I was born – it is a scandal and disgrace it is still not fully implemented. If the powers to deliver equal pay are not devolved to Scotland we will use SNP votes at Westminster to force the issue onto the agenda.”

Sturgeon added: “And we are removing some of the key structural problems facing women in the workforce – for example by planning a major expansion of childcare to 30 hours a week for all 3 and 4 year olds by the end of the next parliament. We are also determined to work with SMEs on this.”

She added the Scottish Government was already paying the Living Wage to all its employees and was using procurement policy, where possible, to encourage its use in all public sector contracts.

Sturgeon told delegates: “We want to make common cause with trade unions, business, employers, local government and the third sector. We aim to pursue a joint approach to economic development – one which recognises that a fair society contributes to a prosperous economy.

“This approach recognises the key role our workers and trade unions play in building the nation’s prosperity. What a contrast with the Tory manifesto pledge to change the rules on strike ballots. Let me make clear today my party will oppose those plans, and instead promote the more constructive approach I have set out.”

The First Minister said it was because the Scottish Government valued social cohesion and economic growth that it had consistently opposed Tory and Lib Dem cuts to public spending, as well as opposing Labour’s plans to continue those cuts.

“It is those Westminster cuts which have undermined the living standards of our most vulnerable citizens – policies such as the bedroom tax and cuts to disability benefits are a disgrace. Indeed the last few years have seen the Scottish Government having to spend increasing amounts of public funds to mitigate the impact of these Westminster policies on our most vulnerable,” she said.

“Last year and this year we will spend almost £300 million. I have no doubt that it is the right thing to do, but with better policies in London we could invest those funds in public services here instead.

“In this election I believe it is important that we have a voice that is shouting for an alternative to austerity.

“That is what I and my party will continue to do.”

Sturgeon then turned to the Labour leader’s address to the Congress on Monday: “I know Ed Miliband addressed you yesterday and in some areas such as improving working conditions, tackling zero hours contracts and increasing the minimum wage – though I want to go to £8.70 – we have similar views.

“Where we support proposals a Labour government would put forward we will support them vigorously and loudly.

“But it saddens me that the Labour party seems determined to continue with a failing cuts agenda – not because it is necessary but because they want to be seen to be as tough as the Tories.”