A LAW to end poverty pay will mean wage rises for many people in Burnley and Pendle, says one of the area's MP.

Peter Pike spoke in Parliament to herald the introduction of a national minimum wage.

He told MPs that people across East Lancashire would welcome "the fact that, for the first time for many years, they will get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work."

He said that thousands of people in the area were on "low pay or poverty pay."

Trade minister Ian McCartney said: "My honourable friend is correct." He told MPs that all workers would be entitled to a minimum wage from day one of a job.

Legislation is due some time after May.

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