STUC Comment - Labour market statistics
Commenting on the newly released Labour market figures, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:
"Today’s Labour market figures reveal the extent to which working people have been misled by politicians with their hollow promises of economic recovery.
"In Scotland, unemployment is up, employment is down and economic inactivity has increased. This is the result of a UK economic strategy predicated on engineering a recession and making workers, not profiteering companies, pay the price to bring down inflation.
"While the UK saw relatively strong wage growth in the quarter to June, pay was still outstripped by inflation. Perhaps most concerningly of all, PAYE figures for July show a significant fall in pay. Far from marking a turning point in the cost-of-living crisis, these figures mark a continuation of it. Workers in Scotland have lost an average of £1500 in the last two years and they are losing more still.
"It’s clear that the strategy from the UK Government and Bank of England is not only wrong but it’s actively damaging communities throughout Scotland. We need urgent action from both governments, including the Scottish Government revising their punitive public sector pay strategy, to give families and workers the support and help they need during this cost-of-living crisis."
END
Notes to editors:
Full information from the ONS can be found here.
RSSGeneral Secretary's newspaper columns
King’s Speech proved how badly we need an election The National 15th November
We march against fascism. Would Braverman want to ban us too? Herald 14th November
We should be furious that workers were thrown to wolves during Covid The National 27th October
SNP Can't blame Labour deluge on the weather The National 14th October
Why we must fight for the future of further education Herald 13th October
The attack on Unison's Johanna Baxter is nonsense - here's why The National 29th September
Labour must commit to the devolution of employment law Herald 29th September
Why we must have a wholesale revolution on social care Herald 12th September
Roz Foyer: First Minister says he ‘isn’t afraid to pick a side’ – so do it The National 9th September
It's time to pay women fairly. Let the bosses pay the bill The National 1st September
Politicians beware: the people are not prepared to lie down any longer Herald 18th August
Strikes in Scotland seem endless? Well the workers are fed up too The National 12th August
It's time we took back control of our buses The National 4th August
Two-child benefit cap: Dismay over lack of vision from Labour Herald 21st July
When it comes to care, we must put people before profit Herald 12th July 2023
What can we say about Humza Yousaf's record after 100 days in the job? The National 8th July 2023
Profiteering is driving up costs and they want you to take the blame. Herald 5th July 2023
We have a real chance to deliver fairness for workers. Let's take it. Herald 10th June 2023
Never forget Pride is a protest as well as a celebration The National 10th June 2023
The Yes campaign may have stalled but people still want change Herald 6th June 2023
Forget the coronation, profit is king in the UK The National 13th May 2023
The First Minister must stay firm on free school meals Herald 8th May 2023
What are the politicians going to do to rescue our democracy? Herald 13th April 2023
First Minister Humza Yousaf must work with trade unions to succeed The National 8th April 2023
Next first minister must show same respect to unions The National 21st March
Government has turbocharged our resolve on workers' rights The National 31st January
