Fall in inflation won't make up for sluggish wage growth, says TUC

date: 16 October 2012

embargo: For Immediate release

Commenting on the latest inflation figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics - which show that CPI inflation fell to 2.2 per cent and RPI inflation to 2.6 per cent in September - TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'This fall in inflation is welcome. However, these figures should be seen in the context of continuing real wage falls, which have meant families getting poorer every month for the last three years.

'Low-paid households will continue to feel the squeeze, especially with the new hike in energy prices that will see bills increase by as much as nine per cent.

'When you factor in plans to freeze benefits many families will still be under immense pressure to make ends meet.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The latest inflation figures are available at: http://tinyurl.com/8o86v44

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

- On Saturday 20 October thousands of people from across the UK will be heading to London for A Future That Works - a march which starts on the Embankment and ends with a rally in Hyde Park. The day is being organised by the TUC in protest against the government's austerity measures and calls for a new approach which puts growth and an economy that works for ordinary families at the heart of government policy www.afuturethatworks.org

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk