Low Pay Britain: furlough cliff edge will kill off recovery

Posted by GMB Admin
Wednesday 7 July 2021
GMB Trade Union - Low Pay Britain: furlough cliff edge will kill off recovery

Post pandemic, UK needs stronger and better rights at work and a proper industrial plan for jobs and investment

GMB, Britain’s general union, has responded to the Resolution Foundation’s ‘Low Pay Britain’ report, which shows low-paid workers have been worst affected by the pandemic.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said:

"The pandemic has exposed the deep inequalities in the UK economy after a decade of politically driven austerity.

“It’s just wrong that carers are paid less than £10 an hour, and millions in the so-called gig economy don’t even have basic employment rights, never mind decent pay.

“A furlough cliff-edge will also exacerbate pay inequality, increase unemployment, and damage the credibility of the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda - killing off a recovery before the country gets back on its feet.

The pandemic has exposed the deep inequalities in the UK economy after a decade of politically driven austerity.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary

“The scale of the challenge is enormous but it’s one we must rise to meet. We need proper value for our key workers, stronger and better rights at work, and a proper industrial plan for jobs and investment in our forgotten communities.

“GMB will certainly be organising and campaigning to achieve this.”

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