UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today hit out at suggestions that MPs would take a 9.3% pay rise calling it an “outrage”. People across the public and private sector are struggling to make ends meet because of the Government’s stranglehold on the economy and the imposition of a pay freeze followed by 1% until 2016.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON said:
“The union has always supported the independent pay review body system, it is a straightforward mechanism for delivering fair pay. But, since the Government came to power, they have run roughshod over it in by demanding the imposition of a pay freeze followed by just 1% until 2016.
“The very idea then that MPs should enjoy an exemption and take a 9% increase will rightly cause outrage amongst workers up and down the country.
“It is ironic that this pay rise is being debated on the very day that charities reveal a 200% rise in the number of people relying on foodbanks to feed their families. UNISON has seen a huge increase in the number of members turning for help to our Welfare fund as they just do not have enough money to live on.
“The plain fact is that the country needs a pay rise to get people spending in their local shops and businesses. We must stimulate the economy from the bottom up and this cannot happen while we have a Government intent on cutting jobs and squeezing pay.
Ends