A RECENT study that concluded Purbeck workers are paid among the lowest annual salaries in the south west has been criticised by the district’s economy chief.

Cllr Peter Wharf, Purbeck District Council’s economy and infrastructure spokesman, said the figures used in the study failed to “fully reveal the growing strength of our local economy.”

Indeed, Cllr Wharf argues a 2013 Office for National Statistics’ survey of hours of earnings identified Purbeck-based employment as providing the highest average full-time salaries in the county.

The councillor was speaking in response to analysis published by workforce firm Manpower earlier this month.

The authors of this study said their figures highlighted an east-west divide in the south west, with the majority of the region’s pay rising at only half the rate of the national average.

Average women’s pay in Dorset is also lower and rising more slowly than for men, according to the the Manpower study.

Purbeck was rated 27th out of 36 south west regions, with an annual pay per full-time worker of £22,100 – a finding blasted by south west TUC regional secretary Nigel Costley, who said workers across Purbeck needed a pay rise.

However, pointing to the Office for National Statistics study, Cllr Wharf explained: “These resident-based figures do not fully reveal the growing strength of our local economy, which is more accurately reflected in workplace-based data.”

The councillor did concede there is a need to “diversify the district’s employment base, better matching the skills of our residents with local jobs.”

He explained: “Our efforts in this respect are demonstrated by a recent Federation of Small Business award which highly commends the multi-million pound investment in Prospect Business Park in Swanage, which was initiated and coordinated by Purbeck District Council.

“Additionally, the council has recently increased the size of its economic development team and is investing is strategic employment sites at Dorset Green and Holton Heath, whilst working with schools, further education colleges and businesses to promote awareness of job opportunities and to help in raising skill levels in the local economy.”