has today revealed his Christmas card, picturing him
clapping for NHS staff, carers and key workers.
The photograph shows the Labour leader with his wife Victoria,
who works in the NHS, outside their home in London.
The image was taken during the weekly clap for carers and key
workers in the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Describing
the moment as one of “huge national solidarity,” Starmer today
reiterated his thanks to all those at the forefront of the fight
against the virus.
With many key workers set to make further sacrifices to keep the
country going this Christmas, Labour will continue its campaign
against the Government’s proposed pay freeze for millions of
public sector workers. Labour analysis has revealed the pay
freeze will hit hundreds of thousands of police officers and
firefighters who have taken on additional duties during the
pandemic, and which will continue over Christmas.
Labour, alongside Labour Unions, has called for the Government to
set a real Living Wage of £10 per hour as figures showed many
frontline workers are still paid below the real living wage.
Recent research found that found three-in-four care worker roles
in England are paid below the real Living Wage.
Labour has also called for a "comprehensive national action plan"
for rolling out a coronavirus vaccine as swiftly as possible,
ensuring care workers and NHS staff are protected from the virus.
, Leader of the Labour Party said:
“The clap for carers was a moment of huge national solidarity,
and we continue to owe our carers and key workers a huge debt of
gratitude. Their courage and dedication in the face of this virus
has been truly incredible.
“This Christmas, carers and emergency workers, alongside our
Armed Forces and other key workers, will step up yet again. They
will sacrifice precious time with their families to keep us safe.
“We must repay them, not just with our gratitude, but by fighting
for fair pay and conditions for all those who have given so much
to help our country through this pandemic.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
- An image of Keir Starmer’s Christmas card is attached.
- At the Spending Review, the Chancellor announced a pay freeze
for millions of key workers. While 3.1m workers are not included
in the freeze, either because they work in the NHS or earn less
than £24,000, that leaves nearly 2.5 million who will face a pay
freeze next year (according to the ONS, total public sector
employment was 5.51m in the second quarter of 2020). This pay
freeze will hit:
- At least 90% of Police officers (sergeant and below) – that’s
189,000 junior police officers on the frontline
- At least 80% of Fire service officers (watch manager and
below) – that’s 50,400 fire service officers
- At least 75% Prison service officers (below principal
officer) – that’s 13,500 of them
- At least 80% of secondary teachers – 372,000
- At least 75% of primary teachers – 336,000
