Today’s Autumn Statement starves public services of the cash they
need and fails to deliver to those on low incomes working on the
front line, Unite, the UK’s leading union, has said.
Unite delivered its verdict after chancellor put the squeeze on public
spending and failed to support investment in steel and
manufacturing. He also did nothing to tackle the corporate
profiteering which has fuelled the cost-of-living crisis.
Public sector workers, who have seen their wages plummet through
over a decade of pay freezes and real terms pay cuts, will face
further pay squeezes as a result of the sustained downward
pressure on investment in services and infrastructure.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The autumn
statement was an abject failure for workers. The chancellor had a
golden opportunity to tackle the issues threatening jobs and
livelihoods and missed the target on every occasion.
“UK workers desperately need a once-in-a-generation investment in
the country’s productive capabilities, including in steel and
other strategic parts of our manufacturing sector.
“The triple whammy, of still high-inflation, interest rates and
rising energy costs, has left consumers at the sharp end of the
economy continuing to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis,
despite the chancellor’s sunny optimism.
“Unite will continue to press for action to tackle excess
corporate profits and to provide proper funding, including for
fair pay, across the public services.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Cabinet ‘re-treads’ should leave
their failed austerity baggage at the door of No.10
