Labour deputy leader highlights 'national disgrace' of low wages on visit to Burnley

The MP spent Friday morning in Burnley with members of the borough social prescribing team and volunteers from the Burnley Rossendale and Pendle CVS.

Mrs Rayner, who was with Burnley council candidate Lian Pate and Lancashire County Council’s Labour group leader Azhar Ali, said care staff’s work with vulnerable and socially isolated people has become even more vital during the pandemic.

She said: “It was inspiring to visit to the social prescribing team who have been supporting people struggling with loneliness over the last year. This is Labour values in action – supporting those in our society who need help and support during hard times.

“The poverty wages that care workers have to survive on is a national disgrace.

"The British people face a simple choice in May: a vote for Labour to reward our key workers and support our social care heroes, or a vote for the Conservatives who are helping their mates to get rich quick from taxpayers’ money while refusing to give our care workers the pay rise they deserve and cutting the pay of NHS staff.”