Catherine McKinnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“These figures show that prices are still rising faster than wages and the cost-of-living crisis under David Cameron continues. Between 2010 and 2013 gross median wages have fallen by over £1,600 a year in real terms. This follows the IFS saying last week that incomes will be substantially lower in 2015 than 2010.

“After three damaging years of flatlining working people are worse off under the Tories. But the Autumn Statement failed to set out a serious plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and earn our way to higher living standards for the many and not just a few.

“Labour would freeze energy bills until 2017 while we reform the energy market, make work pay by expanding free childcare for working parents and get at least 200,000 homes built a year by 2020.”

Gloria De Piero MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, commenting on figures on the gender pay gap, said:
 
“After falling under Labour, this morning we learn that the gender pay gap is back on the increase and no progress has been made in three years of this government.
 
“Since David Cameron entered Downing street women working full time have seen their real wages fall by almost £2,500, and last week’s Autumn Statement confirmed that women are being hit three times harder than men by this government’s economic policies.
 
“Women are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis and today confirms that decades of progress on women’s equality are being undermined by a government that just doesn’t get it when it comes to women.”