RESIDENTS earn 15 per cent less than the average British worker and more than 20 per cent of people living in Redditch are income-deprived, a recent report has revealed.

The findings, which were discussed at a Redditch Council overview and scrutiny committee meeting last night, stated the gap between the average earnings nationally and the average earnings in Redditch had grown considerably in two years.

The report has also highlighted Batchley as being one of the most income-deprived wards in the country.

But Feckenham is listed as one of the country's least income deprived wards.

Redditch Council's economic development manager Rachel Underwood said: "The report was written to provide councillors with statistical information on the local economy in order to inform policy development and to build up a picture of the needs of the local economy."

She added: "The gap between average earnings in Redditch and the UK has widened since 2000.

"This may in part be due to the very different industrial structure in Redditch compared to the rest of the country with twice the national average of jobs being in manufacturing industries.

"However, many jobs in Redditch command lower wage levels than other areas for like for like jobs."

Reports on business and industry, training and skills have already been carried out and Miss Underwood said Redditch appeared average on many economic factors.

She said: "For this reason Redditch does not qualify for any geographically focused financial assistance from Government and European funds."