Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “The first Budget under this new Labour Government has delivered real changes that will make a real difference to our members. After 14 years of the Conservatives failing to listen to workers’ concerns, it is a refreshing change to have a Chancellor who acts to improve the lives of our members and working people.
“We are particularly pleased that the Chancellor delivered on the promise not to increase tax or national insurance on individual workers’ earned income and not increase prices in shops by hiking VAT. Labour’s increases in minimum wage rates set us on a path to a genuine legally binding real Living Wage and an end to rip-off youth rates. Raising the earnings threshold of Carer’s Allowance is important and we welcome the commitment to look at the ‘cliff-edge’ removal of this important benefit that is essential for many working carers.
“Job security is a key priority. The retail sector was already struggling before the pandemic and the cost of living crisis made matters much worse. Last year, nearly 120,000 retail jobs were lost and over 10,000 stores closed. Every job lost is a personal tragedy for the worker and their family; store closures are scarring our high streets and communities. So, we welcome help with business rates to help save our shops and retail jobs. The Chancellor also confirmed additional funding to tackle the organised gangs behind the increased theft from shops that blights shop workers’ lives and retailers.
“The legacy Labour inherited from the incompetent and chaotic Conservatives is extremely difficult and we knew there were always going to be tough choices to make. We understand that not everything our members need can be delivered straight away, but the Chancellor has made a great start in very difficult circumstances. Today she set about securing the foundations of our economy, so the Government can build the growth and productivity our country needs, while protecting working people.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter/X @UsdawUnion