Wage inequalities have increased across Yorkshire and the Humber over the last 13 years, according to new TUC analysis published this week.

The results have been released to coincide with the beginning of the TUC’s first ‘Fair Pay Fortnight’, which runs until Sunday April 6.

The figures, based on full-time earnings from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, show that between 2000 and 2013 the pay gap between the top ten per cent and the bottom ten per cent of earners across the region has increased by 1.5 per cent.

Yorkshire and the Humber TUC Regional Secretary Bill Adams said: “This new analysis shows how wage inequality has soared in parts of the UK over the last decade.

“This growing pay gap is bad news for our economy, and bad news for living standards.”

The TUC analysis reveals that the pay inequality ratio is also rising elsewhere in the UK, with only Wales and the South West seeing any reduction.

TUC research also reveals how much the top ten per cent of earners across the UK bring home and how their salaries vary, with those in Yorkshire and the Humber earning far less than the top ten per cent elsewhere.

The highest top earners are in London where they receive £82,000 a year, followed by those in the South East who are on £57,000.

In contrast, an annual salary of about £46,000 puts workers in the top ten per cent of earners in Yorkshire and the Humber, with the bottom ten per cent earning an average of £14,100.

“In areas like Yorkshire and the Humber, a gulf has developed between top and bottom earners,” said Mr Adams. “Unless this trend stops now and more high-skilled jobs with decent pay are created, the worrying pattern is likely to become even more entrenched.

“Everyone must benefit from the recovery, not just those at the top. The TUC wants to see a greater commitment to pay the living wage from both government and employers, a crackdown on excessive executive pay, and modern wages councils which could set higher minimum wages where employers can afford to pay more.

“During Fair Pay Fortnight we’re asking workers to back our call to MPs to get all political parties to put decent pay at the top of their agendas in the run up to the next election.”

For more information, visit www.fair payfortnight.org.