TUC accuses the Chancellor of ignoring crisis in public services during economy speech

Non-mention of public sector pay was the “elephant in the room”, says union body

Responding to today’s (Friday) speech on the economy by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

“Public services are the backbone of our economy. They are vital for growth and health.

“But the Chancellor is ignoring the massive staffing crisis hitting our schools, hospitals, care homes and other key services.

“Rather than addressing the fundamental issue of public sector pay – which is driving many key workers out of their professions – it was the elephant in the room.

“Public servants will be deeply worried about the Chancellor’s warnings of further restraint. We know that is usually code for cuts.

“Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Suank are key to unlocking the current industrial disputes.

“They should be giving public services the funding they desperately need – starting with fair pay rises this year for the staff who keep them running.

“We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the 2010s when years of underinvestment gutted frontline services and ultimately led to the staffing exodus we are seeing today.”