Queen’s Speech: Usdaw criticises government over inaction and small measures

Retail worker trade union Usdaw has expressed shock and disappointment over the UK government’s inaction over the rising cost of living crisis in the country and small measures proposed to revive high street.

Reacting to announcements made in  Queen’s Speech on Tuesday (10), Usdaw said that is is shocking to see that the government claims they “understand how the rising cost of living is making life harder for people” yet in today’s Queen’s Speech they have only promised to “continue to keep the situation under review”.

“Today’s Queen’s Speech was a crucial opportunity for the government to demonstrate they understand the depth of the cost of living crisis now impacting far too many working people. So we are shocked that they have decided to stand back and watch workers struggle to make ends meet in what they call a continuing review,” Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says. 

“Wages are now lower in real terms than in 2008 and insecure work remains prevalent. The energy price cap rise has pushed many household budgets to the limit. As food prices rise, household budgets are being stretched, many workers are now being driven into debt to pay everyday bills.”

Saying that the government has so far not delivered “anywhere near enough to help” workers who are facing poverty as a result of their cost of living crisis, Lillis reiterated the demand of windfall tax on oil and gas producers, a reduction in VAT and a review of Universal Credit. 

Commenting on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, Usdaw expressed disappointment at the small measures proposed by the government in the face of a long-running crisis in the retail industry. The union, along with many major retailers had called for fundamental reform of business rates funded by an online sales tax.

“The government clearly knows that there is a crisis on our high streets and in the wider retail industry, but they have yet again failed to take the substantial action needed to save our shops. Usdaw is clear that the Government needs to focus on the fundamental concerns being raised by the sector,” Lillis said.

“When retail employers and the shopworkers’ trade union combine in a call for action, it’s time for the Government to listen. Usdaw continues to campaign for the Government to introduce a retail recovery plan, with a fundamental reform of business rates being one of our key demands.”