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After the boom comes the belt tightening 
BELTS are being tightened across Britain and Ireland.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned public sector workers pay
rises must not exceed inflation while the same message has gone out in
Ireland.
As the global economy shows signs of a serious slowdown that is only prudent.
But many workers will be worried that they face seriously straitened circumstances
over the next year if their salaries do not keep pace with rising prices.
Energy companies are already hiking gas and electricity bills by as much
as 15 per cent while petrol prices continue to soar.
These will undoubtedly put a strain on many households’ budgets.
If other rises start to feed through as the year goes on we could be heading
for a period of significant industrial discontent.
Both Britain and Ireland have enjoyed steadily rising levels of prosperity
over the past few years. |
