Workers in the South-East should be paid more than in other parts of the country, says the head of a regional organisation.
James Braithwaite, chairman of the South-East England Development Agency (Seeda), said there should be a cost of living allowance for those in the most expensive area of the country outside the capital.
Mr Braithwaite said some parts of the region were even more expensive than London.
He has approached the Chancellor about the issue in the past but met opposition from national unions such as the TUC.
Speaking at a meeting of the South-East Regional Assembly at Hove Town Hall this week, Mr Braithwaite promised to campaign further.
Linda Richards, of Unison and the South-East Region Trades' Union Congress, said Unison was in favour of extra money for staff in the area.
She said: "We have been pushing for years for a cost of living rise. When we go to provincial councils, they tell us they haven't got the money.
"We are working very hard. What is needed is a push from all of us to get national Government to provide this money to raise some of the low wages some of my members have in this region."
Friday, July 14, 2006
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