Third of workers on less than living wage

Debbie Abrahams MP

OLDHAM MP Debbie Abrahams has hit out at the Government over figures showing more than a third of jobs in the borough pay below the living wage — the worst in Greater Manchester.

The number of people earning below the living wage in Greater Manchester increased to 252,000 last year, a rise of 21,000 or nine per cent between 2013-2014. In Oldham 33.7 per cent of jobs pay below the living wage - slightly worse than Rochdale’s 32.6 per cent.

Mrs Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “The Government cannot claim to be building a Northern Powerhouse while the number of people in Greater Manchester earning below the living wage has been on the rise. The Government needs to realise you cannot empower local government if you impoverish it.”

The data was released two days after the Government’s plans to cut tax credits were dealt a blow by the House of Lords when peers defied a century old convention and supported two motions delaying the cuts.