The Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs makes a key point about key workers.
Writing in The Times last month*, he questions the economic sense of the government awarding a 3.1% pay rise to doctors, teachers, civil servants and others. He quotes the chancellor saying that the increase is a reflection of their “vital contribution to the country”. But he goes on to say:
“The truck drivers, shelf-stackers, and grocers who have performed near-miracles in maintaining supply chains and keeping the country fed and watered must be looking on in bewilderment.”
He might also have mentioned the social care and other workers employed by private sector organisations.
At Citizens Advice we have nothing to say about Mr Littlewood’s view of government policy. But we share the thought that the post-Covid reassessment of the value of essential work we support must cover all categories, regardless of employer.