Wages take £40 hit since crash

Out of pocket: Most families are £40 a week worse off.

A report by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) shows the extent of the pay squeeze being felt by families across the UK as incomes fail to keep pace with rising prices.

The average hourly rate across Kirklees in 2007 – at 2012 prices – stood at £11.36. It now stands at £10.33, a fall of 9.1 per cent. This equated to a cut of £41.19 for the average 40-hour week, the TUC said.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Across the UK families are still really struggling to make their money go far enough – and are often having to go into debt – as they experience a huge squeeze on their household incomes. With real wages still falling, most people are being forced to use their credit cards or their dwindling savings if they need to purchase anything beyond the most everyday of items.”

Readers have shared their thoughts on our Twitter and Facebook sites.

Louise Bottomley said: “Had no pay rise for years now! Its disgusting! Another £40 a week would be fantastic!”

Julie Elizabeth Cuthbert said: “Gone from a good wage, got made redundant to lower wage a poor paid job but it’s a job!”

John Paul Drake said: “Thankfully as of last week I got my first non-inflationary rise in two years, corner turned hopefully.”