Usdaw calls for action to save our shops, help make work pay and tackle the cost of living crisis

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “The UK economy continues to struggle after the legacy of an incompetent and chaotic Conservative Government, which left us in a weak position to deal with adverse headwinds. Tory and Lib Dem austerity, Boris’ bad Brexit deal and Liz Truss’ disastrous Budget all contributed to leaving the UK economy vulnerable to the impact of conflicts across the world and climate change. We welcome the steps that Labour has already announced to help save our shops, tackle the cost of living crisis, help make work pay and reform Universal Credit, but there is still much more to do.

“The Employment Rights Act will help make work pay and improve job security if delivered in full, and we will be looking to the Chancellor to announce another substantial increase in minimum wage rates to reflect the cost of living and end rip-off youth pay. Usdaw has participated in the Government’s review of paid parental leave, to help transform the support working parents receive, and we welcome the expansion of childcare provision delivered by Labour. We are calling for substantial reform of Universal Credit to build on the success of abolishing the two-child limit.

“Job security is a key priority for our members. We support the Government’s commitment to ‘growth in every postcode’ and the retail sector has a significant role to play in delivering this. We welcome the action the Government has already taken in reducing business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. Alongside this, Labour has a manifesto commitment to level the playing field between the high street and online giants. So, confirmation from the Chancellor that the Government will be producing a high streets strategy is welcome, but it is essential that it is linked to the wider industrial strategy, including exempting large physical retail premises from the higher rates multiplier.

“A fairer tax system is needed so that we can rebuild our public services without placing additional burdens on low-paid workers. There is strong public support for the wealthiest paying their fair share of tax. The freezing of thresholds until 2031 brings millions of workers and pensioners into either paying tax for the first time or increasing the amount they pay, putting more strain on low-income households. The Government needs to take the impact of this into consideration and look at whether there are alternative ways to raise the much-needed funding for investment in our public services.”