Longest fall in living standards continues, says TUC

Commenting on the latest inflation figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The longest fall in living standards continues. Lower inflation is good news, but this cannot hide the longest cut in real wages since the 1870s. An average worker is getting nine pounds in pay for every ten pounds they were getting before the crash. Pay packets are about the same level that they were ten years ago.

“These figures underline just how far we have to go to restore living standards so that ordinary people share in the recovery. Britain needs a pay rise.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org

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

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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