Frontline staff in local government have had their pay fall by around £1,500 in real terms over the past decade, new research has revealed today.

Analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) found that since 2010 pay for a care worker in local government is down £1,490 while a refuse collector has had their pay drop by £1,519 in real terms.

The research also found one in five key workers are considering leaving their job due to a 'toxic mix' of low pay, excessive workloads and lack of recognition.

Of those thinking about quitting, 57% said it was because they felt undervalued while 43% said it was because the pay was too low.

For those working in health and social care, 40% said they were considering leaving their job because of the strain of excessive work.

The TUC called on the Government to give council workers a 'decent' pay rise, ensure all outsourced workers are paid the real Living Wage and raise the national minimum wage to £10 per hour.