I have been contacted by Nicholas Wall from the Living Wage Campaign. They have begun a petition in the UK to the Prime Minister to raise poorly paid people out of poverty. To sign the campaign click here

Why a living wage ?
The national minimum wage does not allow many workers to escape poverty. This is because it's set at an arbitary level determined by economists and politicians who are often influenced by short term political reasons. In the UK 4? million adults aged 22 to retirement were paid less than £6.50 per hour in 2006. Two thirds of these were women and a half were part-time workers. A living wage could ensure that no workers receive poverty pay or have to rely on benefits. For further information, read the details beneath the petition or visit the website links below.

Why now ?
Following pressure from campaigners, London mayor Ken Livingstone has given his full backing to a living wage in London. Figures for the London living wage are set and published, and a living wage implementation unit has been set up in City Hall. The living wage has been built into procurement agreements for the 2012 London Olympics. It has already led to some historic victories for low paid workers. After Unison organised the contracted cleaning staff in five east London hospitals, a deal was thrashed out which has brought the wages of contracted out cleaners from below £5 in 2003 to at least £7.48 per hour with improved sick pay and holiday pay.

The petition calls for the initiative in London to be duplicated in other regions around the country, and calls on people to support groups of workers who are already involved in struggles to secure a living wage.

If you agree with the petition, please show your support politically by clicking on the link and filling in your personal details - it only takes a minute to complete - and by encouraging your friends, work colleagues or e-mail networks to sign up also.