LABOUR’S Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions Rachel Reeves visited Thurrock to outline the party’s plan to help working families.

Ms Reeves said: “People in Thurrock are working harder than ever, but since 2010 their wages have fallen by over £1,600. And with 12,000 working people in Thurrock paid below the Living Wage it’s clear the Tory plan is failing .

‘Labour will make work pay for people in Thurrock by raising the minimum wage to more than £8 an hour by October 2019, giving tax rebates to firms who pay a Living Wage and banning exploitative zero hours contracts.”

She added: “I promise a Labour government will make work pay for people in Thurrock.”

Polly Billington Labour's parliamentary candidate for Thurrock said: “Too many people are struggling to make ends meet. Thurrock’s MP has let people down. Like UKIP the Tories don’t have any real solutions to low pay and exploitative employers.

“On zero hours contracts families can barely manage a weekly household budget let alone save for the future. This needs to change, under a Labour government if you work regular hours you will receive a fixed hours contract.”

The pair visited Stiffords Children’s Centre to meet the staff, parents and children who use the facilities.

Ms Billington went on to say: "To help working families Labour has a fully costed plan to extend free child care for 3 and 4 year olds and create wraparound care in primary schools. With a Labour government, together we can help working families in Thurrock."