STAFF who help adults with learning difficulties are celebrating the success of their campaign which saw off a possible pay cut.

Staff at Lifeways campaigned against bosses wanting to cut sleep-in payments. Union UNISON said this would have left staff up to £90 a week worse off.

The cuts were planned to come in in January.

Gwen, a support worker in Bolton, said: “This is great news just before Christmas. The pay cut would have hit us hard. I enjoy my job but I was seriously considering leaving to find work elsewhere as I couldn’t see how I could make ends meet.

"This is such a relief."

The payments were introduced earlier this year to bring wages up to the level of the National Living Wage.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “I am pleased the care provider has agreed to continue to pay the national living wage for sleep-in shifts.

“As a council we believe care workers do a tremendous job and this should be recognised in the pay they receive in delivering this vital service for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Staff raised concerns about the proposed cut through their union UNISON, and Lifeways have now agreed to continue to pay staff £7.83 per hour for sleep-in shifts.

Lifeways’ move in Bolton follows a similar announcement last week in Salford, where the company also dropped a proposal to cut sleep-in pay.

Tim Ellis, UNISON north west regional organiser said: “These are low-paid staff who are doing important jobs and they should be paid properly for their time.

"Bolton Council should be congratulated for making the necessary funding commitment to ensure that care staff don’t face a pay cut.”

Lifeways employs support staff in Bolton and across the North West to care for vulnerable people.