Real wages in NE Somerset are lower now than when the Conservatives entered Government in 2010, it can be revealed.

New data obtained by Labour show that real wages in the area have fallen by an average of 8.4%, leaving people £2,848 a year worse off than they were thirteen years ago.

But it's dire across the country, with every UK region seeing real wages lower than 2010 levels.

The figures highlight the scale of the cost-of-living crisis that is hitting West of England households, says Metro Mayor Dan Norris, and the Tories’ abject failure to grow the economy. He highlighted that had the economy continued to grow at the same rate as when Labour was last in government, there would be at least £30 billion more to spend on public services without the need to raise taxes.

Mr Norris is offering support to residents including investing in emergency support to keep vital energy advice services running this winter, as well as bringing forward an additional £5 million to get on with retrofitting across the region.

Responding to the sobering stats, Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “There is a critical cost-of-living crisis right now, but that is the tip of the iceberg after thirteen years of economic mismanagement by the Conservatives. Mortgage costs are up. Inflation is up. Fuel prices are up. And over the last decade, Britain’s growth rate has been a third slower than other similar countries. I’m doing all I can at a regional level to invest in infrastructure and training, and to work with employers on initiatives such as my Good Employment Charter. But what our country needs is a serious long-term plan to get our economy growing again – powered by the talent and effort of working people and thousands of businesses.

"The West of England has so much potential. But right now we're facing an economic crisis because of 13 years of Conservative failure on the economy that’s holding us back.”