Plaid Cymru has unveiled its first signature policy for the 2015 General Election Campaign - a Living Wage that would secure a pay rise for more than 250,000 Welsh workers.

The Living Wage is defined as how much workers should earn in order to afford a minimum standard of living, including costs such as fuel, food and accommodation. The current National Minimum Wage is below the this level, but Plaid’s announcement would see the party support moves to raise the Minimum Wage into line with the more realistic Living Wage.

Last week, Mike Parker spoke at the rally organised by striking National Library workers in Aberystwyth, and highlighted the fact that many staff at the institution don’t earn the Living Wage.

Mike Parker, Plaid Cymru Westminster candidate for Ceredigion, said,

“Too many people in Ceredigion can’t afford a decent standard of living on their basic pay. It’s shocking that even in one of our flagship institutions like the National Library, many staff earn below the Living Wage. The same is true in the private and third sectors, where zero-hours contracts condemn many to poverty pay.

“That’s why I’m delighted that Plaid Cymru has pledged to give more than 250,000 Welsh workers a pay rise by making the Living Wage a key commitment for the 2015 General Election campaign.

“Currently the UK Government subsidises big business to pay poverty wages by setting the minimum wage too low and then topping them up with tax credits to enable people to afford basic provisions. By raising the minimum wage to be in line with the Living Wage, we will be able to raise living standards and boost local economies as people will have more money in their pockets to spend.

“Analysis shows that it is more commonly women, the under 30s and part-time workers who suffer most from low wages. A Living Wage would ensure that none of these groups are left behind and improve the lot of entire households.

“This is just one of a wide range of Plaid Cymru policies designed to help employers and workers alike. These include cutting VAT for the tourism industry, cutting business rates for SMEs, and establishing a Bank of Wales that would lend to small businesses.”