The average yearly income per head in Caerphilly County Borough is lower than the Welsh average, it has been revealed.
The average person in Caerphilly County Borough earns £14,500 per year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The Welsh average is slightly higher, at £15,800 per year.
However, Wales is the lowest ranked region of the UK, with London coming out on top with an average income of £27,825.
While average wages increased by 21.4% across the UK between 2008 and 2017, Wales only saw an increase of 14.4%.
According to the Bank of England, inflation increased by 26.83% during the same time frame, suggesting that wages in real terms have actually dropped.
In 2008, the average income in Caerphilly County Borough was £12,544. If this had risen in line with inflation, the average income would be £15,910 – nearly £1,500 more than the present-day figure.
The Welsh average would currently be £17,100 if wages had risen with inflation.
Struggle to make ends meet
Tanya Palmer, the regional secretary of Unison Cymru, said low pay forces traps families in a struggle to make ends meet.
She said: “Record numbers of people have been forced to use food banks and more than 30% of children here live in poverty. That’s shameful. That’s why UNISON believes workers should be paid at least the Foundation Living Wage of £9 per hour.
“Higher, fairer wages give people more control over their lives instead of worrying about how they are going to feed their family and pay the bills.
“There’s no doubt severe Westminster spending cuts have harmed Welsh families. The Conservative government has frozen and suppressed the pay of public service workers for eight years.
“Thousands of school support staff, social workers, cleaners, healthcare workers, police and community support officers and many more, have been left poorer whilst inflation leapt around 30%.
“Their pay continues to lag well behind, meaning families have less to spend on Welsh high streets.
“Funding for services has been cut despite demand on them growing because of increased poverty and benefit cuts.
“People are looking to their local council and their NHS for a lifeline but those same services are being starved of resources. Austerity must end and it is essential to invest in our public services.”