ALMOST one-third of workers in Bridgwater and West Somerset are being paid less than the living wage, according to a report by the Trades Unions Congress.

Official statistics obtained from the House of Commons Library show 30% of workers across the parliamentary constituency are working for less than £7.58 an hour.

The figure is significantly higher than the national and regional averages with one in five (20%) workers paid less than the living wage across the UK and 23% across the South-West.

Bridgwater TUC secretary Dave Chapple said: “I’m disappointed by the figures, but not surprised.

“There’s around a 15% to 25% difference in pay between places which are unionised and those which aren’t.

“Over the past 30 years things have changed a lot, and now there are far more workplaces where there’s not only no union, but also no collective bargaining.

“My advice to those working for wages below the minimum wage would be to find out the relevant union and sign up to it.”

Responding to the figures, Ian Liddell-Grainger, Bridgwater and West Somerset MP, told the Mercury:

“I think there are two things to consider here – firstly, the economy in Bridgwater has changed drastically over the past few years, and that’s because of the hard work of businesses and people like the unions.

“West Somerset is still an issue where more than 40% of people are working for below the living wage. “This is down to the fact that it’is largely a tourism-based economy, meaning people only work for four months of the year and even then many jobs pay just the minimum wage.

“In Bridgwater you’re seeing a totally different picture.

“All in all, though, I think it’s going the right way, but the TUC is absolutely right to highlight this and we need to continue working hard to make sure everyone’s at least on the living wage because it will help the economy and it will help the people.”