THE Government is ‘failing ordinary people’ as the squeeze on living costs continues, according to one of Bolton’s MPs.

Figures released this week show that wages in the UK grew by 2.1 per cent from April to June.

However, once inflation is taken into account, total pay in real terms sank by 0.5 per cent, both including and excluding bonuses.

Sir David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, said: “New figures released confirm that wages are rising slower than the cost of living.

“That means the money you take home each month is being stretched more and more. This Government is failing ordinary people, we can do better than this.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Rising prices and stagnant pay are a toxic combination for working people.

“This is the fourth month in a row where wages have fallen behind the cost of living.

“Ministers are sitting on their hands as another living standards crisis unfolds.

“It’s time to boost wages by scrapping the pay restrictions in the public sector, investing in infrastructure, and increasing the minimum wage.”