Responding to the government’s agenda as set out in the Queen’s Speech today (Tuesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“This is a government that’s run out of ideas. Thirty-eight laws proposed but there are no answers to the biggest cost of living crisis in recent times.
“Ministers haven’t grasped the seriousness of the situation. Families are being forced into debt and are going hungry.
“Nothing announced today will make a shred of difference to the millions crushed by soaring living costs. European countries have done much more to shield their citizens from surging energy bills.
“Unscrupulous bosses will cheer the demise of the promised employment bill. But its absence will dismay workers in perilous jobs. For many, fire and rehire on less pay has become the grim reality.
“No new cash for an inflation-busting pay rise means the NHS and other essential services will go on shedding experienced staff. Waits for treatment will get longer and support worsen for everyone.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
