Wythenshawe Community Housing Trust has pledged it will pay all staff, including apprentices, a living wage.

The announcement was made when Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls visited Wythenshawe to support Labour’s by-election hopeful, Mike Kane.

The pledge will mean no employee will be paid less than £7.65 per hour – the rate independent experts calculate is the amount required to cope with the cost-of-living.

Labour says it will introduce tax rebates for employers of up to £1,000 for every employee they up-rate to the Living Wage if they win the General Election next year.

Mr Balls said:“I’m delighted to be visiting Wythenshawe Community Housing Trust’s site on the day they’re announcing they are becoming a Living Wage employer.

“Since 2010 the average real terms wage in the northwest has fallen by £1,685 because of David Cameron’s cost-of-living crisis.

“I want to see more employers follow the example being set by Wythenshawe Community Housing Trust to get wages rising. That’s why the next Labour government will not only boost the minimum wage but also offer tax incentives of up to £1,000 for every worker firms uprate to the living wage.

“A vote for Mike Kane in this election is a vote for the decisive action needed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.”

Labour’s candidate for Wythenshawe & Sale East, Mike Kane, said:“This is a brilliant example of a local employer giving employment opportunities to young people and making sure they’re paid properly for their work.

“The more employers who start paying the Living Wage, the more money will go into the local economy, helping growth and helping families here tackle the cost-of-living crisis.”