Ahead of Medway’s cost-of-living protest march on Thursday, new analysis published by Medway Labour reveals that the average worker in our towns has suffered a real wage reduction of £1,130 in the last 12 months.
New figures from the ONS reveal that real wages (excluding bonuses) are falling at their fastest rate in more than a decade – 3.7% in just one year.
Labour has a plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis which will:
· Cut VAT on home energy bills
· Reduce energy bills by insulating 19 million homes
· Cut small business rates
· Buy, make and sell more in Britain
Publishing the new analysis, Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of the Medway Labour & Co-operative Group said:
“This Conservative Government has downed tools while the rest of us face the worst cost of living crisis in generations. Boris Johnson is clinging on to power without offering any solutions to this crisis.
“This Thursday at 5.30pm, we’ll be marching with trade unions and the general public from Gun Wharf to our Full Council meeting at the St. George’s Centre. We’re doing this to bring attention to the cost-of-living issues that are widespread in our communities and to demand an emergency budget.”
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Spokesperson for Employment Matters added:
““This Government is stale, failing and out of ideas, and the Conservatives are too busy fighting amongst themselves to act. It’s time for a fresh start with Labour.”
“Wages are collapsing in Medway and we are all feeling the pinch – yet this zombie government is nowhere to be seen. But Labour has a plan to help families in Medway now. We would cut VAT on energy, insulate homes to lower bills, cut small business rates and buy, make and sell more in Britain.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Real wages have fallen by 3.7% in the last year – the steepest fall in two decades
https://news.sky.com/story/real-wages-fall-by-39-as-pay-fails-to-keep-up-with-inflation-12654768
Average wages by local authority can be found here:
In Medway the average worker saw real wages (excluding bonuses) fall by £1,130
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lXd7JQrzDVinyhyXxH5AyPqHbh5z1yF6