Comprehensive measures to control cost of living and increase wages and incomes needed urgently
In a statement, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the latest figures showing inflation at a 38 year high of 7.8% confirmed the need for the government to take more urgent and radical action to address the cost of living crisis.
Deputy Boyd Barrett, who is one of the organisers of the forthcoming Cost of Living Coalition national demonstration, on Saturday June 18, said today’s figures underline the need for a huge turnout of workers, pensioners, students and those on low and modest incomes on the cost of living protest on Saturday week.
Deputy Boyd Barrett welcomed the recent decision of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to support the cost of living protest on June 18.
The protest is supported by a wide variety of other groups and organisations including the Senior Citizens’ Parliament, USI and other students’ unions, Dublin and Waterford Trades Councils, the National Housing and Homeless Coalition, as well as by Sinn Fein, People Before Profit, and Independent TDs.
Deputy Boyd Barrett said: “With the twin crises of the cost of living and the housing crisis spiraling completely out of control, there is a total lack of urgency on the part of this government to take serious action.
“We urgently need controls on the prices of basic goods and utilities and serious action on the issue of unaffordable rents and house prices. Wages and incomes need to be protected an increased.
“The Government are failing to respond to this crisis in any serious way. That is why we need people to get out on the streets to protest and demand action.”
