NATIONWIDE protests are being mounted today against low pay in the construction industry.

Employment agencies in Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool and a London building site are being targeted.

Construction union Ucatt says the agencies not only pay poverty wages but also endanger lives by illegally refusing to provide safety equipment and training.

Ucatt named offenders Thorn Baker Recruitment in Leeds (£6.50 an hour), Hayes Specialist Recruitment Ltd in Newcastle (£7.28), and Search Consultancy in Liverpool (£6.50).

Ucatt is campaigning for the living wage, £9.15 an hour in London and £7.85 an hour outside the capital.

In London, Ucatt is targeting Brookfield construction site near Moorgate Tube station, where Ucatt says wages are up to £2 per hour below the living wage.

Ucatt London regional secretary Jerry Swain said: “The blight of low pay in the construction industry is despicable. Companies are making huge profits while workers are forced to work long hours in what can be highly physically demanding roles, in all weathers, for peanuts.”

In Leeds, Ucatt Yorkshire regional secretary Rob Morris said: “Agencies need to be brought to book on their legal requirements regarding safety in the construction industry.”

He said thousands of workers a year are injured due to safety failings.

• Protests details: Leeds, 13-14 South Parade, 9am; Newcastle, Kelburn House, 7-19 Mosley Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 8.30-10am; Liverpool, Search Consultancy, 42 Castle Street, Liverpool, 8.30am; London, Brookfield Site, London Wall Place, Wood Street, 7.30-9.30am.