[UK] Cost of Christmas dinner has risen three times faster than wages in 2022

The cost of traditional UK Christmas dinner components has risen three times faster than wages in the nation this year, according to new analysis published by union body the TUC.

The analysis, published today (December 5) reveals that the cost of Christmas dinner favourites such as turkey, pigs in blankets, carrots and roast potatoes has risen by, on average, 18 per cent over the past year. That is faster than the consumer price index  - at 11.1 per cent - while wages have reportedly risen by just 5.7 per cent.  

The costs of cranberry sauce and bread sauce have gone up by 33 per cent; six times faster than wages.  

If wages had increased as much as the cost of a turkey this Christmas, the average worker would have an extra £76 per week in their pay packet. 

The TUC cautions that households are facing a challenging festive period as the cost of cooking a Christmas dinner will also be considerably more expensive this year with electric and gas prices rising by 66 per cent and 129 per cent respectively, according to the latest inflation data. 

Today the TUC has called on the UK government to take urgent action on the cost of living to protect workers from the misery of recession. 

The union body says ministers must:  

• Give fully funded, cost-of-living proofed pay rises for public sector workers.  
• Raise the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible.  
• Get pay rising across the economy by strengthening collective bargaining rights and increasing trade union access to workplaces. 

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said, “Christmas should be a time for celebration. Everyone should be able to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings while they relax with their family. But soaring food and energy prices mean many families will struggle to afford the festivities. And the fact is many workers are dreading the new year. 

“Ministers can no longer ignore the crisis facing working families. The government needs to shield families from the misery of the coming recession. 

“That means raising the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible. It means a proper pay rise for our dedicated public sector workers. And it means getting wages rising across the economy for everyone.”  

Source: TUC

(Quotes via original reporting)

The cost of traditional UK Christmas dinner components has risen three times faster than wages in the nation this year, according to new analysis published by union body the TUC.

The analysis, published today (December 5) reveals that the cost of Christmas dinner favourites such as turkey, pigs in blankets, carrots and roast potatoes has risen by, on average, 18 per cent over the past year. That is faster than the consumer price index  - at 11.1 per cent - while wages have reportedly risen by just 5.7 per cent.  

The costs of cranberry sauce and bread sauce have gone up by 33 per cent; six times faster than wages.  

If wages had increased as much as the cost of a turkey this Christmas, the average worker would have an extra £76 per week in their pay packet. 

The TUC cautions that households are facing a challenging festive period as the cost of cooking a Christmas dinner will also be considerably more expensive this year with electric and gas prices rising by 66 per cent and 129 per cent respectively, according to the latest inflation data. 

Today the TUC has called on the UK government to take urgent action on the cost of living to protect workers from the misery of recession. 

The union body says ministers must:  

• Give fully funded, cost-of-living proofed pay rises for public sector workers.  
• Raise the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible.  
• Get pay rising across the economy by strengthening collective bargaining rights and increasing trade union access to workplaces. 

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said, “Christmas should be a time for celebration. Everyone should be able to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings while they relax with their family. But soaring food and energy prices mean many families will struggle to afford the festivities. And the fact is many workers are dreading the new year. 

“Ministers can no longer ignore the crisis facing working families. The government needs to shield families from the misery of the coming recession. 

“That means raising the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible. It means a proper pay rise for our dedicated public sector workers. And it means getting wages rising across the economy for everyone.”  

Source: TUC

(Quotes via original reporting)