TRADE unionists have called for the minimum wage to be increased by more than a pound an hour.

Members of the Hyndburn and Rossendale Trade Union Council have attacked the Government's decison to set the level at £3.60.

"£3.60 an hour does not provide a decent living wage," claimed secretary Peter Billington. "It will improve the position of some but a chance has been missed to make sure all working people were guaranteed an adequate income."

Mr Billington pointed out that around a third of East Lancashire workers earned less than £4 an hour. The trade union council believes the level should be set at £4.61 - half the national average for male workers.

"Government minister have set a national minimum rate which they would not work for themselves but are quite willing that others should do so.

"We will continue the campaign for a proper minimum wage."

When the proposed £3.60 level was announced business leaders in East Lancashire warned it could lead to job losses.

Michael Damms, chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, warned many local firms would be seriously affected.

The chamber, which represents more than 1,000 local firms, recently carried out a survey of its members with more than one in four saying they would be affected by a minimum wage of £3.50 or more.

The survey found that many firms predicted they would have to cut jobs if a minimum wage of £3.60 were introduced.

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