Scotland could still have 400,000 low-paid workers by 2020 due to post-Brexit economic uncertainty, a think-tank has warned.

The Resolution Foundation estimates the UK Government's introduction of the National Living Wage (NLW) will lead to the number of Scots in poorly paid employment falling from the current figure of 470,000.

The think-tank, which specialises in economic and social policy, claimed it was unlikely forecasts made before the EU referendum the living wage will reach £9 an hour by 2020 would be met, however.

Former Chancellor George Osborne introduced the NLW in April 2016, replacing the National Minimum Wage, which requires employers to pay all staff aged 25 and over a wage of at least £7.20 an hour.

The Resolution Foundation says a 30p increase in the NLW in Chancellor Philip Hammond's upcoming autumn statement would deliver a pay boost to full-time staff of up to £600 a year.

The Scottish Government is encouraging employers to pay a higher minimum rate of £8.25 an hour, as promoted by the Living Wage Foundation.

Conor D'Arcy, policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said: "The National Living Wage is set to transform Scotland's low-pay landscape but it won't eradicate the problem altogether - Scotland will still have 400,000 low-paid workers in 2020.

"While there is much uncertainty over Scotland's economic outlook, it's highly likely that wage growth will be weaker than expected prior to the referendum.

"This means we're unlikely to see a £9 minimum wage that George Osborne talked about by 2020, though low-paid workers are still set for four years of big pay rises."

He added: "As we approach the autumn statement we'll soon learn what the NLW will be next year.

"An increase to around £7.50 will deliver a welcome annual pay rise of up to £600 for full-time staff.

"Though that's less than the £800 raise previously forecast, it's sensible that the size of the NLW rise adjusts in line with wages of typical workers.

"This flexibility means that calls from some businesses to scale back the NLW even further are wide of the mark.

"Looking across the coming years, it's clear that the National Living Wage is set to transform low pay across Britain.

"But ambitious policy announcements need equally ambitious implementation plans to make them a success.

"With over four million workers set to be earning the new legal minimum by 2020, ministers need to work closely with employers to ensure that they're not just able to pay the legal minimum, but can offer staff a route out of low pay altogether."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Tackling low pay and making work fairer are key priorities of the Scottish Government's economic strategy.

"Through our work with the Poverty Alliance, the Scottish Government is actively promoting that employers pay the Living Wage promoted by the Living Wage Foundation - which is more than the National Living Wage.

"In Scotland, we have a higher proportion of employees paid the living wage than anywhere else in the UK outwith the south east of England and London, with over 80% of employees now receiving at least the living wage.

"The Scottish Government has reached our target of 500 businesses becoming accredited living wage employers - and have set an even more ambitious target of 1000 businesses by autumn 2017."

The autumn statement will be made in November.