The Guernsey Bailiwick District Committee of the TGWU has written to local politicians calling for measures to alleviate the problem.

Spokesman Peter du Port said salaries were not keeping pace with the rising cost of living on the island.

Mr du Port wants average earnings figures for Guernsey to be published, to enable better assessment of the situation.

The union is also concerned that growing numbers of local residents are leaving the island because they can no longer afford to live there.

Last week the Salvation Army in the Bailiwick said it was seeing more people who needed help.