‘ Now is the time for investment, not cuts ’

UNISON delegates yesterday turned the focus of the cost of living crisis squarely towards the solution – a “realistic windfall tax” on energy companies and greater taxation on the country’s wealthiest people. With inflation at its highest level for 30 years, a composite motion identified the combined effect on members’ lives of a cost of living that was ‘going through the roof’ and the decade-long stagnation in public sector pay. The motion also noted the disproportionate impact of inflation on the low paid, who have to spend a greater proportion of their income on essentials such as food and energy bills. Proposing the motion, Lilian Macer of Scotland region condemned the UK government for its response, saying that it was “socially and economically foolish to tackle the cost of living crisis by attacking public services.” She added: “Now is the time for investment, not cuts. Price rises are not a force of nature, but a political decision. It’s about private greed, not public need. “Members are not the cause of inflation, but the victims of inflation. We should not allow the greed at the top to drive down conditions for the rest of us.” Members are ‘desperate’ Ms Macer noted that the combined wealth of the top 250 people on the Sunday Times Rich List was £711 billion. “The money to fund services is there. What we are lacking is the political will to levy taxes and to collect them.” She then urged delegates to attend the TUC...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News 2022 National Delegate Conference cost of living fair pay Source Type: news