Key workers among 25% on less than living wage
MORE than a quarter of employees in Kirklees are paid less than the real living wage – including key workers considered critical to the UK’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
Figures from the BBC Shared Data Unit show that a stunning 37,000 workers in the borough earn less than £9.30 an hour.
That number will include many key workers at the frontline of the COVID-19 battle, including lower grade ambulance staff, hospital cleaners and porters, teaching assistants and carers.
The real living wage is a voluntary scheme devised by the Living Wage Foundation, which is calculated independently from the government and is based on costs such as food, clothing and household bills.
It currently stands at £10.75 an hour for those working within London and £9.30 an hour for those working in the UK outside London.
The scheme is separate to the statutory National Living Wage, which was raised to £8.72 an hour from April 1.
The data shows the proportion of employees affected ranges from one in four ambulance staff (excluding paramedics), to almost all (92%) non-management supermarket workers.
Calderdale fairs slightly better with a fifth of its workforce, about 16,000 workers, not earning the real
Robert’s brother, Richard Nicholson, added: “Will, or Uncle Will, as we came to know him, was one of the first people to knock on the door to offer help and reassure Roger that things would be ok.
“Roger often tells us that he is forever in Will’s debt for the living wage, according to the data.
Tim Roache, GMB general secretary, said: “This crisis has shown everyone just how crucial so many low paid workers are to our health, safety and well-being.
“Millions of front line workers aren’t paid enough to live on, but where would we be without them? Not just in this crisis, every single day of the year.
“When this is over, we need to companionship and support he received from him over the years.
“We can think of no finer name, or tribute, than to name our newest foal in his honour.”
Cannon Hall Farm has closed its visitor attraction and restaurants due to coronavirus but is still broadcasting every day on its Facebook page, sharing positive thoughts and new arrivals for those stuck at home. have a national conversation about how we value the people who care for us.
“But right now key workers are risking their health for the public good and they shouldn’t be going home to their families with poverty pay in their purses and pockets.
“That’s why we’re calling for a Coronavirus Crisis Allowance to be paid now – the vast majority of the public back GMB’s call for this.
“This is about doing right by people who are putting themselves in harm’s way to look after the rest of us.”
“Low-paying sectors like hospitality, travel and non-food retail have been most affected by the government’s lockdown, with firms closing and job losses mounting.
“More positively, workers in lowpaying sectors – from supermarket staff to care workers and hospital porters – are playing an essential role in steering the country through the crisis.
“Many of these workers will have benefitted from big increases in the National Living Wage, and some will have additionally benefited from wider adoption of the real living wage.
“For public sector workers in particular, some local authorities are already living wage accredited.
“Once we emerge from the crisis, other councils and public sector bodies should sign up too to show how much their lowest-paid frontline workers are valued.”
Economists have, however, urged against further wage rises before the full toll of the crisis is clear.
The Low Pay Commission, an independent body that advises the government, warned it might be necessary to apply an “emergency brake” on long-term plans to continue to lift the statutory minimum.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “It is right we ensure the lowest paid are fairly rewarded for their contribution to the economy, particularly those working in essential services during the biggest threat this country has faced in decades.
“This year’s increase to the National Living Wage means we will be putting an extra £930 a year into the pockets of 2.4 million of the UK’s lowest paid workers.”