TUC on labour market figures: real wages fall for fourth month in a row

ONS labour market figures released this morning (Wednesday) show that real wages have fallen for the fourth month in a row.

The figures show a 0.5% drop in real wages in the three months leading up to June.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Rising prices and stagnant pay are a toxic combination for working people. This is the fourth month in a row where wages have fallen behind the cost of living.

“Ministers are sitting on their hands as another living standards crisis unfolds. It’s time to boost wages by scrapping the pay restrictions in the public sector, investing in infrastructure, and increasing the minimum wage.”

Commenting on the number of workers on zero-hours contracts, which remain around 900,000, Frances said:

“Far too many people are still being treated like disposable labour, stuck on contracts with little security or certainty.

“Today’s figures show that zero-hours contracts won’t disappear by themselves. It’s time for the government to crack down on dodgy employment deals and ban these type of contracts.”

ENDS