TRADE unions in Bolton have praised Labour leader Ed Miliband’s vow to raise the national minimum wage to £8 if his party is elected next May.
Mr Miliband made the pledge at the party’s annual conference in Manchester and has drawn support from the borough’s trade unions.
Andrea Egan, assistant branch secretary of Bolton Unison, said: “As trade unions we argue very strongly that raising the minimum wage and putting more money into the hands of low-paid workers won’t just be welcomed by hard-pressed families, it will also be good news for local economies.
“It is local shops and businesses who will directly benefit from a boost in workers' spending power.”
Martin McMulkin, Secretary of Bolton Trades Union Council, added: “After years of falling real pay we need action to ensure fairer pay for ordinary working people.”
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