The number of people being paid less than the living wage in Thurrock has increased. 

Figures unveiled this week by the Office of National Statistics show 1 in 6 of all full-time workers are being paid less than the living wage of £7.65 an hour.

The number has gone up from 12% previously, to 16% of all full-time workers. 

The number of part-time workers being paid less than the Living Wage has stayed at almost fifty per cent.

The Living Wage rate is set at £7.65 an hour by the Living Wage Foundation. 

“Thurrock needs a pay rise,” said Labour candidate Polly Billington in response to statistics.

“The increase in the number of people being paid less than £7.65 an hour shows that this government has let down working people.”

“Labour will offer tax rebates for businesses that sign up to paying the Living Wage in the first year of a Labour government.”

Meanwhile, across the East of England, ONS figures showed there has also been a 20% increase in the number of people whose primary employment was a zero hours contract from October 2013 to 2014.

Polly added: “People can’t plan for the future when they’re on low pay and don’t know how many hours they will be working.”

“Voters have a clear choice this election. A Labour government will raise the minimum wage to £8 an hour and ban exploitative zero hours contracts.”

“If you work regular hours then you should be entitled to a regular contract. A Tory government propped up by UKIP would not tackle this important issue, only Labour will stand up for working people.”

The Living Wage rate is set by the Living Wage Foundation at £7.65 an hour.