date: 2 July 2008

embargo: 00.01hrs Thursday 3 July 2008

TUC comment on IDS public/private sector wage gap report

Commenting on the latest pay report published today (Thursday) by Incomes Data Services showing the continued gap between pay increases in the public and private sectors, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'These figures confirm that public servants are facing cuts in their living standards, yet every expert agrees that this will do nothing to reduce inflation. Keeping down the pay of nurses does not result in a cheaper gallon of petrol.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

-The IDS press release can be found at: http://www.incomesdata.co.uk/pressrel/paysettlements1004.doc

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

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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
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (200 words) issued 3 Jul 2008