TWENTY per cent of working people in North Warrington earn less than the “Living Wage” yet will still fall foul of the government freeze on working tax credit, according to MP Helen Jones.
She was speaking at the start of Living Wage Week – a UK-wide celebration of the Living Wage and Living Wage employers.
The MP (pictured) told the House of Commons that the freeze would cost people in her constituency hundreds of pounds a year.
She said: “How does that possibly reward people who want to work, and how can the minister justify that when the government give tax cuts to the wealthy?”
The Livibng Wage is currently said to be £7.85 an hour outside London.
Ms Jones, a long standing champion of the Living Wage, said: “ The Living Wage campaign is about employers, employees, campaigners and
communities coming together to build a stronger, fairer economy from the bottom up.
“Employers have found that paying the Living Wage can make good business sense, generating savings by boosting productivity and morale.
“Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna, has made clear that with families being hit by a cost of living crisis we need more better paid, high skilled jobs which pay the Living Wage.
“I join with him in praising the work done by the Living Wage Foundation and with his call for faster progress.
“The next Labour Government will provide new incentives for firms to pay a Living Wage, helping them raise productivity, alongside setting a more ambitious target for the minimum wage. “
Workers who lose out in the freeze
00 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
