Ellesmere Port and Neston is one of the top five living wage ‘blackspots’ for women working part-time across the north west according to the TUC.

The constituency is one of the worst affected areas in the region with 65.6% earning less than the living wage according to a new analysis by the trade union body to mark Part-time Equal Pay Day.

Nearby Chester features as a top five bright spot with 33% earning less than the living wage.

Across the region over two in five part-time women’s jobs pay less than the living wage.

But the analysis of official figures shows that earning less than the living wage is the norm for women part-time workers in 22 of the North West’s parliamentary constituencies.

With women accounting for almost three-quarters of Britain’s 6m strong part-time workforce, the lack of skilled, decently-paid, part-time jobs affects women’s pay and their career prospects far more than it does men, says the TUC. It is concerned that despite three years of stronger economic growth, many working women still remain trapped in in-work poverty and wants to see more employers paying the living wage.

It also wants to see more well-paid jobs across all sectors and grades advertised on a part-time basis arguing that too often women have to take a pay cut and a job beneath their skill, qualifications and experience level in order to be able to work part-time once they have children.

Regional secretary Lynn Collins said: “Working part-time shouldn’t mean poverty pay but for lots of women in the North West that is reality.

“The living wage was created to provide workers with a basic standard of living.

“However many part-time women in our region earn well below £7.85 an hour and now face the Chancellor’s cuts to tax credits which will wipe out any gains from his new minimum wage premium.

“Our labour market is failing to deliver for many women. If we don’t create better opportunities and increase wages for part-time staff then women will continue to bear the brunt of in-work poverty. We need a recovery that works for the many not just the few.”

MP Justin Madders

MP Justin Madders (Lab), who previously worked as an employment lawyer, commented: “I am extremely concerned to note that Ellesmere Port and Neston has been identified as a blackspot for part-time women workers. This is a further demonstration of the fact that the economic recovery is not being felt by many families in this area.

“In Ellesmere Port in particular a large number of people, with a high proportion being women, are employed in the retail and leisure sector. While the employment opportunities are of course welcome, sadly the pay and conditions offered are often simply not good enough.

“I will be writing to the head offices of employers in this area asking a number of questions about employment terms and conditions covering issues such as whether staff retain 100% of tips, whether the living wage is paid, whether zero-hours contracts are used and whether staff are sent home half way through a shift without compensation if the outlet is not busy.”

He added: “This is an issue I take very seriously and I will do as much as possible to get a better deal for local workers.”

The living wage rate, set by the Living Wage Foundation is £7.85 an hour outside of London.