The recent report by the Trades Union Congress that showed
the extent of the low pay that blights the local economy.
In last week’s Journal our local MP Tessa Munt, exposed her complacency
and dismissive attitude on low pay, in the Wells constituency nearly 4 people
out of 10 earn less than £7.45 an hour.
She seems to thinks it acceptable for low pay for part time workers and
those in the service sector, every worker should earn an acceptable wage, these
workers should not be deemed to be second class.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s recent research shows that
the cost of a minimum living standard has increased by a quarter since 2008,
this to rising costs; in food, energy costs, housing and cuts or freezes to tax
credits and other in-work benefit. This means the pressure to raise wages has
become even greater.
The growth of insecure, part time jobs has further
undermined wages.
Low pay is a symptom of economic failure, yet it those who
are paid low pay are those who pay the price with poor living standards.
This week the Financial Times stated that productivity in
this country is 20% lower in this country than other leading economic countries
in recent years. This shows how the coalition government has failed to invest
in regional infrastructure, failed to help business to attract finance from the
financial sector, failed to increase training opportunities in the workplace.
It is obvious that government has to do more in providing
affordable housing and reducing childcare costs.
The economy cannot afford not to invest in supply side
measures such as training, as only a high skill productive economy can pay
better wages.
It is clear that this government and our local MP has failed
to focus on the issues that affect low paid workers, they have failed to tackle
the utility companies and their huge price hikes, not invested in child care,
they have cut in work tax credits and done very little to tackle the housing
crises.
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