TUC Congress 2014: Challenging Power, Raising Living Standards

Low wages, along with soaring energy bills, rip-off rents and escalating childcare costs, have led to an unprecedented cost of living crisis for millions in Britain today. Real wages have fallen so far that - for the first time - the majority of those living in poverty are in work.

With the General Election just months away the debate around fairness and equality in Britain, from energy bills, childcare costs and housing; to pay, taxation and public services, is more relevant than ever.

In Challenging Power, Raising Living Standards, speakers will discuss how we can tackle the cost of living crisis and achieve fairness and equality in key areas of people’s lives – work, home and family. The event will discuss ways in which the trade union movement can challenge existing power structures in order to reduce wealth inequality and raise living standards sustainably and over the long term.

Speakers include

Christine Blower - General Secretary, NUT

Owen Jones - The Guardian

Professor Oslem Onaran - University of Greenwich 

Louise Haigh - PPC for Sheffield Heeley

Chair: Tim Roache - Yorkshire and North Derbyshire GMB Regional Secretary, Chair of Yorkshire and the Humber Regional TUC and President of Class