TUC welcomes IFS findings on the public sector pay squeeze

Responding to the publication on Friday of two reports by IFS on public and private sector pay, TUC General Secretary, Frances O’Grady said:

“The IFS shows just how deep and long the pay squeeze has been for vital public sector staff. Already the NHS is having difficulty recruiting and retaining staff, and morale has hit rock bottom following the government’s rejection of its own Pay Review Body’s recommendation.

“What is worse is that the pay squeeze looks set to go on and on, which will not only make public sector workers suffer further years of cuts in their living standards, but also hit the quality of the services that bind our society together.

“Public sector workers going on strike next week do not understand why they are not being allowed to share in the benefits of the recovery, when there is cash available for tax cuts for the rich.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:
– For copies of the IFS reports, please contact the IFS press office: Bonnie Brimstone 020 7291 4818 / 07730667013, bonnie_b@ifs.org.uk
– All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
– Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
– On Saturday 18 October the TUC is organising Britain Needs a Pay Rise – a national march and rally in London to call for an economic recovery that delivers for everyone, and for fair wages to help end the living standards squeeze. For more information on the campaign go to www.tuc.org.uk/economic-issues/britain-needs-pay-rise