Region’s children one of the worst hit in the country by ‘cruel’ Government pay pinch
Shocking new figures from GMB, the union for public sector workers, show more than 300,000 children in the North West are being hit by the public sector pay cap.
Analysis of the latest ONS data shows the region has more than 180,000 households where at least one adult works in the public sector as their main job.
The average full time public sector workers in the UK has lost out on £9,000 in wages since the pay cap was introduced in 2010 – and stands to lose a further £4,000 by 2020.
During a recent study of police staff by GMB, one member revealed their pay was so low they couldn’t afford to buy their children clothes.
Paul McCarthy, GMB Regional Secretary, said:
“If the Government needed something to bring home the reality of their cruel and unnecessary public sector pay pinch – this is it.
“More than 300,000 children in the North West are living under the cosh of constant real-terms pay cuts.
“Our cherished public sector workers are now under so financial much strain they are forced to visit foodbanks – never mind finding the cash to buy their children new clothes or take them on holiday.
“The fact hundreds of thousands of kids in our region are growing up in this way in one of the richest countries in the world is a badge of shame.
“Enough is enough – it’s time to give all our public sector workers the wage they deserve.”
