Concern over low wages across the North East

THERE is an “urgent need” to tackle alarmingly low wages being paid to residents in the North East, a council boss has said.

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An NHS inequalities report has found that none of the seven council areas in the region matches the national average weekly wage of £566. Sunderland and South Tyneside were ranked bottom, with the average resident taking home just £502 a week.

North Tyneside topped the list at £554, followed by Northumberland (£526), Newcastle (£524), County Durham (£519) and Gateshead (£507).