THOUSANDS of workers in the North-East are in jobs paying less than the living wage, according to the TUC.

More than one in five people – 22 per cent – fit into this category in the North-East. But the figure is much higher in some individual areas.

The living wage is currently set at £7.65 an hour outside of London and has received backing from the new Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler.

The TUC said its analysis showed that Darlington had the greatest proportion of people – 37.6 per cent – paid less than the living wage, closely followed by Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (36.1 per cent).

The picture was worse when working women were solely considered. Nearly half of women working in Hartlepool (48.2 per cent) are paid less than £7.65 an hour. In Darlington the figure was 44.5 per cent.

The living wage is different from the national minimum wage, introduced 15 years ago, as it is not enforced by law.

Northern TUC Regional Secretary Beth Farhat said a greater commitment to pay the living wage was needed from both employers and the Government.

She said: “Extending the living wage is a vital way of tackling the growing problem of in-work poverty across Britain.

“The number of living wage employers is growing rapidly and unions are playing their part in encouraging more employers to sign up and pay it – but government must show equal initiative.”

The Right Reverend Paul Butler said: “The living wage is good for everyone. Good for the employee and their family - they have enough to live on; good for the employer in recruitment, retention and morale of their staff; good for us all.

“It makes sense economically, socially, morally and spiritually. It helps us all build better lives and a better society.”