Low and middle income earners, social protection recipients, lose out in real terms
Short-term supports no substitute for long-term policies
October 10th: In an initial response to the Budget, trade union Unite dubbed the measures announced today a “quick-fix Budget” which uses short-term supports to mask the ongoing failure to develop long-term policies to reduce costs.
The union said that, while workers squeezed by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis would welcome any short-term support made available in Budget 2024, the government’s decision to continue a narrow focus on subsidies rather than investing in public provision of services ranging from housing to childcare would simply push the crisis facing public services further down the road.
Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Budget 2024 was billed as something for everyone in the audience, but employers and higher earners have fared best, while low and middle income earners will again lose out in real terms.
“At every turn, this budget missed the opportunity to rebalance policy in favour of workers.
“Once again, it is clear that the best way for workers to put more money in their pockets is to join a trade union and work collectively to improve their jobs, pay and conditions”.
Susan Fitzgerald is Unite’s Irish Secretary and added: “Today’s Budget was drafted in the context of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis coupled with windfall tax receipts. Yet the Government has failed to join the dots, recognise that many of the costs faced by people are due to a lack of public services, and develop long-term investment-led policy responses. Instead, they have relied on a series of short-term supports and credits to give the illusion of action.
“The housing crisis is imposing an unsustainable burden on workers and the economy, yet the government’s response is to give landlords yet another tax giveaway and subsidise spiralling rents. While renters will welcome any assistance in the form of credits, this measure represents a drop in the ocean given the horrific rise in rents.
“It is scandalous that the government has failed to use windfall receipts to fund a new semi-state to build high-quality public housing incorporating genuine cost-rental principles, as proposed by the ICTU.
“The same pattern is evident when it comes to energy: While workers will welcome energy credits, the government refused to impose energy price caps and rein in profit-gouging in the sector – preferring to subsidise the exorbitant bills still faced by householders.
“Today’s quick-fix Budget once again highlights the need for working people to come together and collectively demand an economy that works for everybody”.
