The Spring Statement ‘tinkers around the edges’ of the cost-of-living crisis, leaving working families to be overwhelmed by rocketing prices, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday 23 March). 

Profiteers who have made billions from the pandemic and surging energy costs must be made to give back to workers and the public on whose backs their money was made. 

With the real rate of inflation (RPI) now at 8.2 per cent, the highest in 30 years, Unite is establishing a commission on profiteering, announced today by the union’s leader Sharon Graham. 

The ‘looting commission’ will target those companies who took advantage of Covid-19 and soaring energy costs to make obscene profits from the public and the government and attack workers jobs, pay and conditions. Unite is inviting the government to join the commission.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “With inflation at its highest for 30 years, Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement just tinkers around the edges of this shocking cost-of-living crisis. 

“Workers will still be facing sleepless nights worrying about how to make ends meet, overwhelmed by rocketing prices.

“His Spring Statement does nothing to tackle the corporate elite, the billionaires who stash their loot but sack UK workers by Zoom. Once again, ordinary working people bear the broadest burden while the super-rich get off scot-free.

“That is why I’m calling on the government to join Unite in our new workers’ commission on profiteering because it’s not just the big six energy firms who have made money from this crisis. 

“What about those providers who made bundles charging exorbitant prices to our NHS during the pandemic? What about Amazon and the money it made from lockdown. What about DP World, who made over $1 billion dollars in profit and then sacked P&O 800 workers on the spot?

“Our commission will bring together experts and workers to uncover exactly where the money has gone, who has profited while others have suffered and who should really be paying the price for this pandemic. One thing is clear, working people are paying for bad decisions made by powerful people. Unions must now step up to the plate and take over the reins. The rebirth of the trade union movement must now begin.”   

ENDS 

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215.

Email: [email protected]