MORE than 64,000 public sector staff in the North-East and 150,000 across Yorkshire and Humberside regularly work unpaid overtime worth £1.2billion, according to a GMB study.

The research by the union for public sector staff, which is based on the latest official statistics, found more than 22 per cent in the North-East and 26 per cent in Yorkshire and Humberside regularly work an average of eight unpaid hours a week.

And more than 15,000 public sector workers in the North-East and 30,000 in Yorkshire and Humberside regularly put in more than 15 hours a week for free.

The union warns that staff are working "dangerous" levels of hours.

Bill Coates, GMB Regional Secretary, said: "(Chancellor of the Exchequer) Philip Hammond says that public sector workers are 'overpaid' but these shocking new figures show just how out of touch he is.

"Ministers think they can push staff indefinitely, but low pay, unmanageable workloads and stress are pushing many of our members to the limit.

"Unpaid hours mean that thousands across the region are effectively earning below the minimum wage, especially in the care sector."

The GMB says 64,200 public sector workers in the North-East regularly work unpaid overtime worth £394 million a year. In Yorkshire and Humberside 150,000 work unpaid overtime worth £830m.

It says 37.5 per cent of midwives regularly work unpaid hours followed by social workers (36.9%); nurses (28.5%); school secretaries (28.2%); librarians (27.4%); teaching assistants (265); police and community support officers (21%). The average for private sector workers is 14.4 per cent.