Commenting on the Government’s announcement that NHS staff will get a below-inflation pay rise of 1% next year, Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at Uswitch.com, says: “Today’s news will be a big blow for the many public sector workers struggling with the rising cost of living. The country as a whole may be seeing positive signs of economic recovery but this is further evidence that our wallets are getting thinner rather than fatter.
“This is not just a public sector issue – over three quarters of workers across the UK are getting below-inflation pay increases, according to our own research. In fact less than halfof us will receive a pay rise at all this year.
“This just adds further stress to the millions of hard working people who are already struggling to make ends meet, with essential household bills continuing to soar and salaries failing to keep up.
“However, there are steps we can take to ease the pressure of rising bills while waiting for a pay rise. Be strict with yourself and scrutinise your household outgoings to work out where you can save money. For the essential bills you can’t escape, make sure you are on the cheapest deal possible.”
Charlotte Nunes
Phone: 020 7148 4664
Email: charlotte.nunes@uswitch.com
Twitter: @uswitchPR
All research referred to below was conducted by Opinium amongst 2,000 respondents in January 2014.
Consumer Price Inflation was 1.9% in January 2014. In response to “Thinking about 2014, do you think you will get a pay rise in your CURRENT JOB by the end of this year?” and “What percentage was this rise/what percentage will this rise be?” - 76% of all respondents are expecting a pay rise of less than 1.9% this year. (ONS report on inflation http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/consumer-price-indices/january-2014/consumer-price-inflation-summary--january-2014.html
In response to “Thinking about 2014, do you think you will get a pay rise in your CURRENT JOB by the end of this year?” 45% said “Yes, I have already received a pay rise since January 1st, 2014” or “Yes, I think I will receive a pay rise during 2014”. Percentage excludes those respondents who answered “Don’t know”
It’s all about “U”!
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Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a new business that also owns Money.co.uk and Bankrate.
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