CHURCH leaders joined forces to show a united front in a campaign to relieve poverty among the low- paid elements of society.
Representatives of seven churches and Christian denominations met at Brunswick Chapel, Newcastle, to discuss low pay.
They signed a joint statement calling for an increase in the minimum wage level, from the existing figure of £4.20 per hour to £5.80.
Leading regional figures from the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Salvation Army, Quaker and other churches agreed such a rise was a realistic way of relieving poverty and improving the lot of many families in the region.
Pat Devlin, a regional spokeswoman for Church Action on Poverty, said all the denominations were in agreement that the lowest pay rates must be increased to ease deprivation.
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