The cost of food for a Christmas dinner has increased three times faster than wages this year, new research suggests. Analysis by the TUC showed prices for traditional Christmas dinner items such as turkey, pigs in blankets, carrots and roast potatoes has risen by on average 18% over the past year, faster than inflation, while wages have risen by 5.7%.
The cost of cranberry sauce and bread sauce has risen by a third, according to the analysis. The union organisation 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 said that families are facing a difficult festive period as the cost of cooking will be considerably more expensive this year because of rising energy prices. The Government was urged to give cost-of-living pay rises for public sector workers and to increase the minimum wage to £15 an hour.
