Action plans to tackle “poverty wages” and inequality in Weymouth and Portland were discussed at a packed-out meeting of Weymouth and Portland Action on Wages.

Wages in Weymouth and Portland are the lowest in the UK according to the Office of National Statistics, and the borough came third from bottom in the government’s 2017 social mobility index, which measures opportunities for young people.

WeyPAW convenor Philip Marfleet said that the area’s “coastal economy”, based around hospitality, retail and care, is partly to blame.

He said: “The private sector has failed us, pitching thousands of families into poverty - WeyPAW believes Weymouth and Portland can do better.

“We know that councils in other parts of the country are taking action and getting results.”

Oxford professor Danny Dorling, who is a leading expert on inequality, delivered a hard-hitting speech.

He said: “Currently we’re top of the European league table for inequality - and since 2014 life expectancy for men and women has fallen in this country.

“That was despite the fact we closed almost all our NHS hospitals for routine operations so they could concentrate on A&E over the winter.

“Infant mortality in the last two years has risen significantly in this country - it has risen nowhere else in Europe.

“Now is the time we’re going to have to be bothered - there are particular times in history where things can go one way or another and now looks like one of them.”

Local housing expert Steve Bendle believes the borough needs social housing and that building new homes isn’t solving the housing crisis.

He said: “There is a requirement for 35% affordable housing to be built on new developments over 12 properties (or 20% on Portland) - but the definition of “affordable” is £250,000 or less.

“Locally the average salary is £14,500 - so for a home to count as affordable in Weymouth and Portland it would need to cost around £70,000-£110,000.”

Instead of building “affordable” housing, Mr Bendle suggested developers transfer a percentage of land into public ownership.

He presented research on other areas where solutions including cooperatively owned homes and locally affordable shared ownership properties were providing an alternative to the private rented sector or housing benefit.

Women living in Weymouth, Portland and South Dorset face additional pressure, according to speaker Eva Herman of Manchester University.

She said: “Almost 73% of local workers who earn less than the real living wage are women.

“In Weymouth and Portland local nurseries cost around £232.48 per week, but average weekly earnings are £282.90.

"If you’re a new mother, can you afford to work?"

Her research showed that people in care, food, bar and tourism jobs report losing out on entitlements such as maternity and holiday pay, which impacts the overall income for families.

Everyone at the meeting was invited to contribute ideas, and these are being compiled to create a policy document to lobby decision makers.

Initial suggestions include include working with local councils to identify “rogue” employers; a commitment by local councils to tackle food, fuel and funeral poverty; trade union organisation to protect rights at work, especially in low-paid sectors including catering, retail and leisure; a new agenda for housing and an urgent review of health provision.

To see slides from the meeting and to find out more visit www.weypaw.org.uk