Inflation falls need to be matched by wage rises, says TUC

date: 17 January 2011

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the latest inflation figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which show that RPI inflation fell to 4.8 per cent and CPI to 4.2 per cent in December, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'This fall in inflation is a welcome relief to consumers. But with wage settlements still trailing at around two per cent, people are still getting poorer in real terms month-by-month, and living standards are still being squeezed.

'We need inflation falls to be matched by strong wage growth so that people have more money in their pockets to give our economy a much needed consumer-led boost.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The latest inflation figures are available at www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/consumer-price-indices/december-2011/stb---consumer-price-indices---november-2011.html

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

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 Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk