Addressing delegates in the Empress Ballroom, at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Paddy Lillis Usdaw General Secretary said: “The economy is key to the lives of Usdaw members, however, the economy we are living with is broken. Food prices are increasing at record levels, energy prices are out of control and wages are struggling to keep up.
 
“This cost of living crisis is affecting nearly every household in the UK. Unfortunately, despite the crisis, we have a cabinet of millionaires who never have to worry about stretching from one pay day to the next. A Government that doesn't understand the worry of a boiler breaking down and a Prime Minister more interested in avoiding taxes than ensuring the rich pay their fair share.
 
“The International Monetary Fund identified the UK as one of the world's worst performing economies, the worst in the G20 and worse even than sanction-hit Russia. It is clear that we need a new government, a Labour government committed to tackling the issues Usdaw members face and committed to delivering economic growth.
 
“Regulated energy costs have doubled over the past 18 months and despite the Government being forced to extend the Energy Price Guarantee. From the beginning of April, bills have still gone up a further £67 a month. This simply isn't sustainable. Usdaw has been at the forefront of the campaign to ensure the Government takes this issue seriously and we will continue to make our voices heard, but it is not just households which are suffering,
 
“Businesses have seen massive hikes to their bills as the energy bill relief scheme came to an end this month. Hikes which put businesses and jobs at risk. We know all too well that unless the Government steps in, it will be our members whose livelihoods will be at risk. The Union has already been calling for increased support for the retail sector and we will continue to make these calls at every opportunity.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 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
 
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