Workers’ pay down £1200 in two years
Workers have lost a ‘staggering’ £1200 from their pay packets according to Scotland’s largest trade union body.
New analysis from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has revealed workers' pay in Scotland is down by £1223 within the last two years as a result of pay not keeping up with inflation. The average worker in Scotland took home £533 a week in October. In real terms, this has fallen £13 a week since October 2021.
Office for National Statistics data further reveals an increase in unemployment from 3.3% to 4%, with economic inactivity rising from 22.3% to 22.7% and employment falling from 75.1% to 74.3%.
The information has been condemned by STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer, calling the UK Government’s economic strategy “economically incompetent”.
Commenting, Ms Foyer said:
“It’s absolutely staggering that due to the economic incompetence of the UK Government, workers throughout the country are paying the price to the tune of £1223.
“In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and because of the UK Government’s failure to bring down inflation, workers are still feeling the overall pinch in their pay packets.
“Worse still, with an incredibly gloomy economic outlook with employment down, unemployment up alongside rising economic inactivity, unions throughout the country are absolutely right to point out that the UK Government and Bank of England economic strategy is actually costing jobs. “You cannot allow inflation to cut to the bone the wages of hard-pressed workers and conceivably expect economic growth. There is another way: progressive taxation of those with the most and redistribute that into the pockets of those who have the least. Anything else is just a deliberate slight on workers.
END
Notes to editors:
Links to datasets as follows:
General 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