The number of local government workers on the national minimum wage has been branded a ‘disgrace’ by trade union Unite.
Unite criticised the Government for allowing the wages of thousands of council staff to drop to £6.50 an hour, saying austerity cuts had hit women and part-time workers the hardest.
Unite national officer for local government, Fiona Farmer, said: ‘Thousands of local government workers from today are now on the minimum wage £6.50 an hour. They will be struggling to pay their household bills.
‘It is a disgrace and a searing indictment that the government has allowed the wages of vital public servants who underpin council services 365 days a year to fall to such levels.’
Unite is calling for a pay increase of £1 an hour for local government workers.