IT IS good to see some Oxfordshire employers are paying the Living Wage to their employees. But, unfortunately, many employers still do not pay a Living Wage.

At a time when empty units have appeared in our high streets and shopping centres, it might be hoped that employers would welcome the general adoption of a Living Wage throughout Oxfordshire as it would add appreciably to household spending power and therefore increase sales and income for retailers.

After all, average household incomes dropped dramatically from 2002 to 2013 and benefits have also been cut.

The current Living Wage outside London is £7.85. However, Oxfordshire Green Party supports the use of the London level of the Living Wage in Oxfordshire, currently £9.15 per hour, because of exceptional housing costs.

Since about five million people are being paid less than the Living Wage, they are also liable to be the beneficiaries of housing benefit, now running at about £25bn per year.

One of the many advantages of a Living Wage is that it will reduce total housing benefit and free more resources to, for example, buy homes for social housing which is a major social need throughout Oxfordshire.

It is clear businesses do benefit where a Living Wage is introduced.

According to the Living Wage Foundation, two-thirds of employers reported significant recruitment and retention improvements.

Seventy per cent of employers also felt that the Living Wage had increased consumer awareness of their commitment to be an ethical employer.

But we also need all candidates in the General Election to get the message that the low paid in our society need their support, as much as these candidates need their votes.

STEVE DAWE County Press Officer Oxfordshire Green Party Bulan Road Oxford