Wales TUC UK Spending Review Reaction

“We hoped that the Chancellor would have recognised the enormity of the challenge facing workers in Wales and the investment that will be needed to help our economy recover. What was announced yesterday fell far short of that.

“The announcement on public sector pay is a kick in the teeth. We should be recognising the work done across the public sector during this pandemic – and not threatening many workers with what would be a real-terms cut to their pay.

“Workers expecting a national minimum wage increase have been let down by the UK Government’s decision to row back on the full rise they were promised.  A 19p rise in next year is nowhere near enough.

“The Chancellor also failed to announce an extension to the £20 Universal Credit uplift – that means that tens of thousands of households in Wales are facing a £1,000 cut in income from next April. This has to be reversed. And this was another missed opportunity to fix our broken sick pay system and make sure that no-one has to choose between their health and their income during this pandemic.

“To rebuild an economy based on fair work principles, we need a comprehensive programme of public investment. Wales TUC research has shown that investing in green transport and infrastructure could create more than 59,000 jobs in two years. But the UK Government’s lack of ambition and its continued lack of clarity over the future of regional investment in Wales threatens to undermine recovery efforts.”