AS DEBATE rages about the planned minimum wage a snap survey has revealed that local workers are being offered as little as £2.54 an hour. With the Government proposing an hourly rate of £3.60, a look at vacancies at Lancaster Job Centre has revealed £2.54 an hour at a supermarket, £5,500 per year as a general warehouse assistant and £70 for a 40-hour week as a glass processor. Chris Holloway of Lancaster and Morecambe Trades Union Council says he has even come across cases of low-paid security guards being made to buy their own safety equipment.

"We want a meaningful minimum wage of £4.61 per hour," explained Chris.

He added: "We shall continue to campaign on this and other matters on behalf of the people of this district and we would be most interested to hear from people on low pay. Any information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality."

The debate comes after it emerged last week that the district has the fourth worst unemployment rate in the North West after Liverpool, Knowsley and Manchester.

But Barry Scoffin of the Chamber of Commerce said the situation could worsen when the minimum wage is introduced, partly because of the tourism based nature of the local economy.

He said: "We had a survey of local businesses on the issue last year and 92 per cent of those who responded said it could cause problems.

"Obviously there is going to be a minimum wage but I think what's required in Morecambe is different from London. It should be regional.

"What I think will happen is higher paid employees will want their wages increased so the difference remains the same."

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