Yahoo Finance Christmas dinner cost jumps three times higher than wages increase
The cost of Christmas dinner items has risen faster than wages and inflation this year as UK households prepare for the festive season amid a cost of living crisis.
The cost of traditional Christmas dinner items such as turkey, pigs in blankets, carrots and roast potatoes has risen by on average 18% over the past year, according to analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
That is a cost increase three times higher than wages, which have risen by 5.7% in the same period and more than inflation, which stands at 11.1%.
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The cost of cranberry sauce and bread sauce have risen by 33% — six times faster than wages.
“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,” TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said.
The trade union body said that if wages had gone up as much as the cost of a turkey this Christmas, the average worker would have an extra £76 a week in their pay packet.
The TUC is calling on government to give fully funded, cost of living proofed pay rises for public sector workers. It also wants to see the minimum wage at £15 an hour as soon as possible.
Read more: Food prices up over 12% in November as consumers face a bleak winter
“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,” O’Grady added.
