Prime Minister’s big speech labelled ‘nothing but hot air’
A UNION leader branded the Prime Minister’s speech as “full of hot air”, although business groups were more supportive.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said: “As ever, this political jester came up with nothing but hot air.
“We had slogans over specifics at a time when costs are rising, inflation is a real worry, universal credit is reduced for millions, there are widespread food and fuel shortages and a very real climate crisis.
“As we try to move away from the shadow of Covid, the Prime Minister’s pitch will ring hollow for many. He talks about completing Northern Powerhouse Rail but is set to ditch the Eastern leg of High Speed 2.
“That’s not building back better, but short-sighted folly.
“It looks and feels as though an iceberg is heading towards our economy and Johnson is the captain of a rudderless ship incapable of steering a course to safety.”
Tony Danker, director general of the CBI, said: “The Prime Minister has set out a compelling vision for our economy. High wages, high skills, high investment and high growth.
“But the PM has only stated his ambition on wages. This needs to be backed up by action on skills, on investment and on productivity.
“Ambition on wages without action on investment and productivity is ultimately just a pathway for higher prices.
“It’s a fragile moment for our economy. So, let’s work in partnership to overcome the short-term challenges and fulfil our long-term potential. It’s time to get around the table, roll up our sleeves and get things done. It’s time to be united.”
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “If Boris Johnson was serious about levelling up Britain, he wouldn’t be slashing universal credit in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
“The PM is in no position to lecture people on wages when he is holding down the pay of millions of key workers in the public sector.
“And when he is doing nothing to fix the gaping hole in local authority budgets that has resulted in most social care workers being paid less than the real living wage.
“As the country’s biggest employer, the government should be setting an example on paying staff properly – not skimping on wages.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Without serious action, this speech is nothing more than headline-chasing by a prime minister desperate to deflect from the serious and growing cost of living crisis happening on his watch.”
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There is much in the Prime Minister’s ambition for the future of the United Kingdom which should be rightly applauded, but what businesses urgently need are answers to the problems they are facing in the here and now.”