GMB responds to the Queen's Speech

Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary, said:

"If that's what the Prime Minister called a General Election for, she's wasted everyone's time. 

“We just saw a Queen's Speech that in no way tackles the challenges we face as a country. 

“The hypocrisy of proclamations on fair pay when public sector workers are buckling under the weight of year-on-year real terms pay cuts will not be lost on millions of teaching assistants, care workers and NHS staff. 

“And warm words on pay are just that.  If the Government is really committed to making work pay and raising living standards, it needs to end the public sector pay freeze and introduce a real living wage.

"Let's see £10 an hour going into people's pockets. The clue is in the name; a living wage has to be enough to live on."