Working harder but getting poorer is conclusion of new report comparing wages and prices

Mon 13 October 2014

A new report from public services union UNISON - 'The Price of Everything and the Value of Wages' - paints a stark picture of the decline and fall in living standards for workers across public services.

Years of zero or below inflation pay rises have meant that the value of wages has failed to keep pace with rising prices. 'The Cost of Everything and the Value of Wages' tracks how prices have risen faster than wages and the way that inflation as it is experienced by the poorly paid is often significantly higher than headline figures would suggest.

The report details how the cost of food, fuel, childcare and rent amongst other essentials has increased faster than wages.

Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns with UNISON Scotland said:

“It’s no coincidence that we are bringing this report out at the start of Challenge Poverty week and the day of the Poverty Alliance Conference. Wage freezes are reducing people to poverty one fifth of the children in poverty in Scotland are in households where at least one adult is working.

"It’s no use politicians in Edinburgh and London trumpeting record employment figures if those in work aren’t getting enough to live on.

"Scotland needs a pay rise that’s the message we’ll be sending out loudly all this week and most especially on Saturday’s STUC demonstration for Decent Work and Dignified Lives.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The full UNISON Scotland report 'The Price of Everything and the Value of Wages' can be found herehttp://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/
ThePriceof_UNISONScotlandReport_Oct2014.pdf

STUC Demonstration 18 October For A Just Scotland: Decent Work and Dignified Lives - Saturday 18 October 2014 in Glasgow. STUC links for more information
http://www.stuc.org.uk/
http://www.ajustscotland.org/events/4/18-october-march-and-rally

Inflation rate - UNISON reaction

Tuesday 18 Dec 2012

The latest figures showing that inflation has remained static at 2.7% “is the lull before the storm” warned UNISON Chief Dave Prentis today.

He went on to say:
“Big increases in energy prices are set to hit in the New Year and the cost of feeding a family just keeps on going up.

“More than a million public sector workers have not had a pay rise for three years and the value of their take home pay just keeps on going down. It is a disgrace that this Government is instrumental in plunging so many families into poverty and turning to food banks for relief over Christmas.”

Ends


http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2914


.

Energy profits cold comfort for customers - UNISON

Wed 14 Nov

 The £400 million half-year profits announced by energy company SSE have been branded obscene as thousands of families struggle in the face of a 9% bill increase.

The UK’s largest union has accused energy companies of exploiting the basic human need for warmth to line the pockets of shareholders, and called ‘price cap promises’ an empty gesture that sounds the alarm bell to further increases next winter.

Mike Jeram, UNISON head of business and environment, said:

“It is chilling that companies such as SEE should announce these enormous half-year profits when families are being forced to take the hit for yet-another massive price hike.

“All eyes are on the energy companies, and the suggestion of price fixing will put a long-overdue spotlight on the practices of companies who line the pockets of shareholders while their customers freeze.

“SSE’s ‘commitment’ to cap energy prices until the second half of next year just means that, come Winter 2013, customers can expect more of the same shabby treatment, and yet another massive price hike.

“Where is the evidence of the government’s commitment to keeping energy prices down? As ever, it’s just more hot air being wasted in the corridors of power, when it would be better served keeping families, the vulnerable and the elderly warm.”

ENDS

UNISON UK news release:http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2879

.

Southern and Scottish price rise - UNISON response

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today reiterated its call for the government to take action to tackle fuel poverty, as Scottish and Southern Energy became the third major UK energy supplier to announce double digit price increases. http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2377