Christmas inflation adding to family stress
UNISON, the UKs largest union, today called on the Government to dare to
change direction, to relieve stress on families struggling to cope with
inflation this Christmas. Despite the small drop in inflation, the union is
warning that the Government?s failed fiscal policies are hampering recovery,
as many people are still too worried about their jobs to spend in the high
street.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:
"The very small drop in inflation today is cold comfort for the millions of
families struggling this Christmas.
"Christmas should be a happy time, but for many people the stress of
finding, or keeping a job, means the financial pressures are enormous. When
you add in the cost of food and fuel, there is not a lot of spare money to
spend in the high street.
"Cameron only has to look at the sale signs going up in shops before
Christmas, to see signs that his financial policies are not working. The
Government needs to look at ways of stimulating the economy and encouraging consumer confidence, instead of dishing up more misery over Christmas.
"Public service workers have been hard hit by swingeing job cuts and a pay
freeze that is set for years to come. Add in the additional cost that
Government Ministers are asking workers to pay into their pensions, and
contrast with Christmas bonuses in the City, and it is obvious that we are
not all in this together.”
ENDS
