Government must act after three months of falling real wages, says TUC

Wednesday 12 July 2017: For immediate release

Commenting on the latest labour market data published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics – which show real earnings falling by 0.5% – TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Three months of falling pay is three months too many. The clock is ticking whilst workers wait for the government to act.

“Ministers must set out a plan to get real wages rising across the public and the private sectors. They should start by scrapping the unfair pay restrictions on nurses, midwives and other public sector workers. And the minimum wage must be raised to £10 as quickly as possible.

“Tackling insecurity at work is important for improving pay too. When people don’t feel secure in their job, they are less likely to push for the pay rise they deserve. The government should start by accepting the Taylor Review recommendation to give agency workers equal pay. And they should go further and ban zero-hours contracts.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
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Contacts:
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Elly Gibson (Mon to Thurs) T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Michael Pidgeon  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: mpidgeon@tuc.org.uk