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Shopworkers trade union and retailers warn families will face higher prices if we leave the EU

Date: 21 June 2016 Shopworkers trade union leader John Hannett has today released research by Usdaw which finds that, if we were to leave the EU, the hit to sterling and the imposition of tariffs would increase prices for families by £580 a year.
Today, in an unprecedented intervention, former bosses of Britain’s biggest retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons and B&Q), retail trade union Usdaw and new research from Britain Stronger In Europe show that leaving the EU would cause prices for essential goods and services to rise, hitting working people and their families in the pocket.
 
John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “We are campaigning to ensure that our members are fully aware of the many positive benefits of remaining in the European Union. Usdaw firmly believes that the EU guarantees additional workplace protections, an increased number of jobs across the economy and lower prices for goods and services.
 
“Our research shows that workers would be at least £580 a year worse off if Britain leaves the EU, due to a hit to sterling and new tariffs imposed on imported goods like food, drink and clothing.
 
“Brexit will harm the UK economy, leading to fewer jobs, increased pressure on workers’ rights and greater insecurity for Usdaw members. It is undoubtedly in the best interests of Usdaw members to vote to remain within the European Union this Thursday, 23 June.”
  
Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “Every credible economic expert is clear – leaving the EU, our biggest market, would hit trade, boost inflation, and increase the price of imports. This would be devastating for working people who cannot afford a rise in the cost of living.
 
“The economic consequences of leaving Europe could well be worse than the damage done by the Great Recession of 2008. Workers, families and small businesspeople would all be hammered if we leave. The safe choice is to vote to remain in Europe”.
  
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 440,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
The Impact of Brexit On Consumers a report from Usdaw: http://ukstronger.in/v8iZ6v

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion
 

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The official website of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers