We need a strong economy. Why?

For one thing, the taxes paid by employees and businesses in a strong economy help fund services such as schools and hospitals. But most of us also depend on wages, whether our own or the earnings of a partner of parent, to pay for essentials such as food, clothes, heating and a roof over our head.

A strong economy isn’t an end in itself. It’s important because our standard of living depends on it. And that means there’s little point in having a strong economy if you’re not going to allow people to share in the benefits it brings.

There are five million working people in this country who have seen their wages go down, year after year. Public sector workers are currently limited to an annual pay increase of one per cent. And before that, their pay was frozen. This, once again, is actually a cut when you take inflation into account.

It means that millions of working people are seeing their living standards fall.

Immediately after the banking crisis, there was a sense that we all had to make sacrifices. And indeed, many private firms also cut or froze pay for their staff – with employees taking it on the chin. People felt willing to make sacrifices to help the country get through a difficult period.

But that can’t last forever. And there’s no longer a sense that we’re all in it together. Rather, a specific group of workers is paying a heavier price than others.It’s tempting to talk about the fantastic work public sector staff like police, nurses and teachers do. And they certainly are essential.

I think it’s also worth remembering, however, that the private sector worker who delivers bread to the supermarket or stacks the shelves so that I have something to eat is also doing vital work.This isn’t about one set of people being better than another. It’s about treating everyone fairly.