SHADOW Chancellor Ed Balls and Mike Kane, Labour's candidate in Wythenshawe and Sale East, visited apprentices and staff at new houses being built by Wythenshawe Community Housing Trust.
Wythenshawe Community Housing Trust announced that they are to become a 'living wage' employer - including paying their apprentices the living wage.
The announcement will mean no employee at the organisation 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.
Ed Balls and Mike Kane toured the building site and met apprentices.
Labour says that if it wins the next election it will introduce tax rebates for employers of up to £1,000 for every employee they up-rate to the living wage.
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.
"I want to see more employers follow the example being set by Wythenshawe Community Housing Trust to get wages rising."
Mr 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."
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