‘Scandal’ of workers in poverty

ONE in three Oldham workers is paid less than the living wage - compared to one in five across the country.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher is supporting a fortnight of action by the TUC to highlight the consequences of low pay.

The TUC says 30.5 per cent of workers are paid below the living wage in Oldham West and Royton, compared with 23.6 per cent in the North-West and 21.7 per cent across the UK.

The ratio in Oldham East and Saddleworth is 35.1 per cent, and with 27.1 per cent of working women.

Mr Meacher wants wages to increase to a minimum £7.85 an hour outside London.

Mr Meacher is backing Fair Pay Fortnight, which calls for an increase in the minimum wage and for employers to voluntarily pay the slightly higher official “living wage”.