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Real wages in the North
West still worth £2,500 less than in 2008
AVERAGE pay (median) in the North
West is still worth £2,468 less in real terms than it was in 2008; a
shortfall of £47 a week; according to new analysis published by the TUC.
The figures confirm that, despite some strengthening of wages over 2014 to
2015, workers in the region still have a long way to go to restore all the
earnings they lost following the longest squeeze on wages since records
began in the 1850's.
The average North West annual wage increased in real terms by £374 from 2014
to 2015; the 1st annual increase for several years.
However, current indications suggest that the wage recovery may already be
stalling. Monthly data on average weekly earnings from the Office for
National Statistics show that wage growth slowed in the second half of 2015.
The TUC warns that the government's plans to continue to hold back wages in
the public sector will be a significant drag on average wage growth. And
recent monthly surveys by the employment information service XpertHR suggest
that private sector wage settlements remain well below their pre-crisis
trend.
The TUC says that while forthcoming increases to the minimum wage have an
important role to play in improving wages for some workers, this is not
enough in itself. Concerted action from the government is needed to support
stronger wage increases for all low and middle income workers, not just
those at the very bottom.
However, the TUC warns that the government's Trade Union Bill will weaken
the power of workers to negotiate a fair share of economic growth through
decent pay rises. This could lead to slower wage growth becoming embedded as
a longer term problem, causing trouble not only for workers and their
families, but also for businesses that rely on their spending.
Instead of attacking workers and their representatives, the TUC is calling
on the government to engage with trade unions on a positive agenda to
improve both pay and productivity. This should include stronger collective
bargaining rights, modern wage councils to ensure that pay increases follow
productivity gains, and worker representation on remuneration committees to
bring back a bit of reality to boardroom pay.
TUC Regional Secretary Lynn Collins said:- "Working people deserve a
fair share of the wealth they create. But despite five years of economic
growth, the pressure on their living standards has barely let up. The
average annual wage in the North West is still worth nearly £2,500 less than
it was back in 2008.
The government must do the right thing for the economy, and the right thing
by workers. They should invest more in the skills and infrastructure the UK
needs for higher productivity. They should make sure that working people see
productivity gains in their pay packets. And they should work positively
with trade unions instead of attacking workers and their representatives
with the Trade Union Bill."
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Holocaust victims
to be remembered in Liverpool
LIVERPOOL'S Lord Mayor, Councillor
Tony Concepcion will join faith leaders in special services to mark
Holocaust Memorial Day, on 27 January 2016. Wreaths in memory of all
victims of persecution will be laid at the memorial stone in St John's
Gardens before a special service at Liverpool Town Hall which will be
attended by civic and faith representatives as well as members of the local
community. The day marks the 71st anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz Berkenau
and ,as well as being the national day of remembrance for all the victims of
the Holocaust , will remember victims of more recent genocides such as
Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur.
The theme for this year's day is "Don't Stand By.".
Councillor Concepcion, said;- "Holocaust Memorial Day is not only a
time to remember those millions who died in the Holocaust and subsequent
genocides but is also a call to action for the present.
The theme of "Don't Stand By" urges us to consider our own responsibility
over issues such as hate crime and prejudice to ensure they have no place in
our society.
The service will be moving and poignant and it will also encourage us all to
help to build a safer future."
At the service Rabbi Dan Lieberman will join the Lord Mayor in lighting a
memorial candle. Rabbi Lieberman will lead those attending in prayer and a
blessing will be given by the Rector of Liverpool, the Reverend Dr Crispin
Pailing.
Pastor Michael Fryer from Father's House Congregation will address the
service at which King David High School Choir will sing.
Ann Frank Trust UK Ambassadors from Alsop High School and St John Bosco Arts
College will give a presentation of poetry specially composed for Holocaust
Memorial Day.
Also it is worth noting and playing a visit to an exhibition which aims to raise awareness of the Holocaust.
It will be staged at
Liverpool Town Hall (based in the Hall of Remembrance), between Tuesday, 26
January 2016 and Thursday, 28 January 2016, from 10am to 4.00pm.
Appeal for witnesses after bike stolen - Southport
THE British Transport Police (BTP)
are investigating the an incident that took place sometime between 1pm and
2pm on Thursday, 14 January 2016, after a bike had been taken from cycle
racks, at Southport's Merseyrail Station. Police now seek witnesses to the
theft. Investigating Officer Sergeant Stephen Lawman said:-
"We're looking to trace anyone who may have witnessed a bike being stolen
from cycle racks at Southport Station sometime between 1pm and 2pm, on
Thursday, 14 January 2016. The bike is very distinctive, a yellow/gold
coloured Mongoose Otero Elite Mountain, which is valued at £600. Bolt
croppers had been used to break the lock securing the bike to the cycle
racks. We are appealing to anyone who might have been at the Station around
the same time and may have seen someone acting suspiciously or even saw them
in the act of stealing the bike."
If you have any information about the incident, please give us a call on:-
0800 40 50 40 or text:- '61016' quoting reference:- 'PSUB/B7
of 20/01/2016.' Alternatively, information can be passed to the
independent charity Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111. |
