THE cost of buying items for a Christmas dinner has increased three times faster than wages this year, new analysis published today by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has found.
 
The TUC said the analysis shows the cost of items used to make a traditional Christmas dinner including a turkey, pigs in blankets, potatoes, and carrots has increased by an average of 18 per cent over the last year — outpacing the consumer price index at 11.1 per cent, while wages have grown by just 5.7 per cent.
 
The union is warning of a “difficult festive period” for families because the energy needed to cook a turkey is also rising with electricity prices increasing by 66 per cent and gas by 129 per cent, based on the latest inflation data.
 
The average worker would have an extra £76 in their pay packet per week if wages had ballooned as much as the price of a turkey this Christmas, the TUC said.
 
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Christmas should be a time for celebration. Everyone should be able to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings while they relax with their family. But soaring food and energy prices mean many families will struggle to afford the festivities. And the fact is many workers are dreading the new year.”
 
The union is calling on the government to hand out cost-of-living “proofed” pay increases to public-sector workers, raise the minimum wage to £15 per hour, and boost pay across the economy by increasing trade union access in workplaces.
 
Ms O’Grady said: “Ministers can no longer ignore the crisis facing working families. The government needs to shield families from the misery of the coming recession.
 
“That means raising the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible. It means a proper pay rise for our dedicated public-sector workers. And it means getting wages rising across the economy for everyone.”