THE TUC has said average wages in Bradford are still below the levels before the economic crash in 2008 in real terms.

The union organisation said although it might look as if wages have started to rise recently, in Bradford weekly pay for the average worker is still 0.29% short compared to 2008 – a shortfall of £1.22 a week.

By contrast, its analysis of weekly packets showed that wages in Yorkshire and the Humber grew by £94 (+27%) between 1997 and 2008.

Its report said the figures for Bradford South are particularly stark. Pay in Bradford South has fallen by £65.39 (-12.89%) since 2008.

Average pay for part time women in Shipley is still short by £5.32 per week, a fall of 2.68%. In Keighley, part time women are out of pocket by £37.53 (-17.84%) on 2008 levels.

The TUC said that not since the beginning of the 18th century has it taken so long for real wages to recover from a slump.

It said the impact of this pay squeeze has seen real hardship for working families with household debt soaring as workers struggle to make ends meet.

Unsecured household debt rose to £15,880 in the first quarter of 2019, up £1,160 on the previous year, and higher than before the financial crash in 2008.

TUC Regional Secretary in Yorkshire & the Humber, Bill Adams said: “Hard working families in Bradford, Shipley and Keighley know only too well of the struggle to pay the bills on poor pay. And these figures clearly show that everyone is feeling the pinch and trying to make ends meet.

“Women workers have been hardest hit by the pay squeeze. And we know that austerity has an outsize impact on women too.

“That part time working women in Shipley and Keighley should have lost out by so much is a damning indictment of failed economic policy.

“We need an economy that delivers for working families. But pay packets are still worth less than a decade ago.

“It’s not right that household debt is rising. And that kids in Bradford are growing up in poverty despite having parents in work.

“For more than a decade, this government has failed to protect workers and deal with Britain’s cost of living crisis.”

The TUC is calling for new rights so that workers can access the protection of a union in every workplace and can bargain for fair pay and conditions across industries and a £10 minimum wage as soon as possible.