The South West TUC is launching a guide to help low-paid workers and their supporters campaign for the living wage.

The booklet – available to download – puts forward the economic case for paying everyone more – a move that saves money for the public purse by allowing people to come off benefits.

South West TUC regional secretary Nigel Costley said: “South West workers need a pay rise. The squeeze in earning in the region has been even tighter than across the rest of the UK, with wages falling in real terms by 6.3 per cent against rising inflation.

“The case for employers to pay the Living Wage is overwhelming. Trade unions are joining with other groups to press employers and councillors to sign up.”

The booklet is available at southwestneedsapayrise.org.uk.