THE number of families in and around Morecambe with no breadwinner has soared to 5,500 according to new figures.

Morecambe and Lunesdale Labour Party claim 27 per cent of local households of working age have no one in employment - a far higher figure than those painted by the Government's unemployment statistics.

Prospective parliamentary candidate, Geraldine Smith, described the figures as "shocking" and claimed the Conservative government had failed the people of Morecambe. She said: "These shocking statistics reveal the true extent of unemployment in Morecambe and Lunesdale in a way the Tories fiddled figures never could."

"They are a terrible indictment of the Government's failure to bring lasting prosperity to thousands of local families. All of us are paying the price for unemployment in higher taxes, bigger social security bills and more public borrowing."

The figures have been compiled by the House of Commons Library from the Government's Labour Force Survey and the last census. Although they are approximate it is the first time the number of workless households have been identified.

The official figures count only the number of unemployed people who qualify for benefits, while these new figures measure the total numbers of non-pensioner households where no one is employed.

Cllr Smith went on: "We want to see a nation back at work not on benefit. Our windfall tax levy on the excess profits of the privatised utilities will fund a new deal for the young and long-term unemployed in Morecambe and Lunesdale."

The figures come in the wake of a TUC report which shows that across Lancashire a third of workers earn less than £4 an hour.

The survey also highlights growing evidence that those on low pay are also routinely refused holidays, sick pay and work long hours on short-term contracts.

Speaking for the Low Pay Unit, Gabrielle Cox, said: "Far too many workers in Lancashire are suffering poverty pay. A minimun wage is a vital part of any stategy to improve the living standards of thousands of families across the county."

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