A FACTORY boss has hit back at an MP's claims that a job offered at his business was "scandalously low paid."

Peter Cunliffe, proprietor of Babywise Mattress Factory, Duckworth Street, Darwen, said the general assistant's position for a 16-year-old advertised at the firm was "above the current market rate" at £60 a week.

Local councillor David Smith had told Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson about the vacancy for the 40-hour a week job, which included babysitting for two eight-month-old twins among its duties.

Mrs Anderson said it offered "an appallingly low rate of pay" and said she intended to refer the position to the Department of Trade and Industry.

But Mr Cunliffe claims the money he offered was fair and above average for a 16-year-old when pay for Youth Training Schemes was taken into consideration.

Now he said the attention the job had attracted had caused him to withdraw the position.

He said: "At the end of the day, Mrs Anderson and Coun David Smith have deprived someone of work.

"I offered what I can afford to pay. No one can afford to pay someone who doesn't make any money for them more than this.

"The girl who did the job before did so without any complaint. She has now created for herself at the factory a position which pays a higher wage."

The general assistant's position was advertised in Darwen JobCentre.

Gabrielle Cox of the Low Pay Unit in Manchester said the position was a sad reflection of the state of the current labour market.

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