One in four workers in the North West earns less than living wage, according to new report

The annual living wage research report by KPMG, published today (Monday), estimates that over 600,000 workers receive less than the living wage in the North West region, which is just under one in four workers (24%).

This is an increase from the same time last year when the figure was one in five or 21%. The new Living Wage rate will be announced later today, with an increase expected from the current rate of £7.65.

Commenting on the report, TUC Regional Secretary for the North West, Lynn Collins said:

“People go to work and expect to earn enough to live on. For those paid below the living wage, they are not getting a fair day’s pay for an honest day’s work. Low pay is blighting the lives of hundreds of thousands of families across the region. And the consequence is we have to spend on tax credits to subsidise low paying employers and we bring in less in tax.

“The fact is there are employers out there across the North West who can afford to pay living wages, but aren’t. It is now time for all responsible employers to commit to adopting this standard, which enables workers to earn just enough to be able to live a decent life.

“We have the wrong kind of recovery with the wrong kind of jobs – we need to create far more living wage jobs, with decent hours and permanent contracts, something that we will continue to campaign for.” 

There are two events taking place next week that we are involved with to mark Living Wage Week, which runs from 2nd - 8th November 2014. These are:

North West launch of the Living Wage rate, 8:30 - 11:30am on Monday 3^rd November 2014, at the Chapman Building, University of Salford.

The event on Monday 3^rd November, chaired by Kate Green MP, will feature talks from Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart, trade unions and many other employers who pay the Living Wage including Salford University, local small business Salut Wines, Nationwide and YMCA.

It also features the launch of a report from Centre for Local Economic Strategies, about how local authorities can promote the Living Wage as employers, as influencers and as drivers of the local economy, and how devolution of powers to local authorities could be coupled with economic benefit and strategic commitments to promote the Living Wage.

Press are welcome. Contact for further details

Young Persons Play - Brass Razoo. Thursday 6th November, 5:15pm - 6:15pm. Liverpool City Centre

Seasons Playhouse — a youth theatre group — will be hosting a play and community discussion about low incomes in Liverpool, as young people see it. Using input of over 140 young people from around Merseyside, they have created a play called “Brass Razoo”, to be shown during Living Wage Week.

It will take place on Thursday 6th November 2014 between 5:15pm – 6:15pm at the Black E Theatre, 1 Great George Street, L1 5EW.

The event will be a short performance of a play, as written, directed and acted by young people, followed by a community discussion about what needs to happen to end poverty in Liverpool, lead by:

    •       Stephen Twigg, MP for Liverpool West Derby

    •       Jane Corbett, Councillor for Liverpool City and North

    •       David Carter, CEO of the Whitechapel Homeless Service, Liverpool

Come along ready to watch and take part in discussions and debates. This part of the 'Poverty Ends Now' England wide, young people's anti-poverty campaign.

You can register to attend here http://www.brassrazoo.eventbrite.com/

Press are welcome. Contact for details

NOTES TO EDITORS:

KPMG estimates of employees earning less than the living wage in 2014 for UK regions

- Follow the North West TUC on Twitter - @NWTUC 

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Jay McKenna  M: 07788 414578 E: jmckenna@tuc.org.uk