MORE than one in five people in work in Thurrock earn less than the so-called "real living wage" calculated by the charity the Living Wage Foundation.

This include hundreds of key workers dubbed critical to the fight against the coronavirus crisis by the government, such as hospital cleaners and porters, teaching assistants and carers.

A new survey shows that approximately 12,000 jobs in Thurrock, that's 21.5 per cent of borough' employed population, get less than the Living Wage Foundation rate of £9.30 an hour (£10.75 an hour for those working within London).

The scheme is separate to the statutory National Living Wage, which is the legally-binding hourly rate for workers aged 25 and over.

The government raised the National Living Wage to £8.72 an hour this week (1 April).

The GMB union said the coronavirus crisis had shone a light on the "rock-bottom pay" of the people "expected to risk their health to protect us".

It says more than three million workers nationwide could be affected and called for key workers' wages to be raised.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: "It is right we ensure the lowest paid are fairly rewarded for their contribution to the economy, particularly those working in essential services during the biggest threat this country has faced in decades.

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"This year's increase to the National Living Wage means we will be putting an extra £930 a year into the pockets of 2.4 million of the UK's lowest paid workers."