Lies, damned lies and statistics.
I'm not saying that what you have posted Essex is any of the lie categories, but, they are statistics.
Which are the 3rd kind of lie, because they can be made to show anything you want because it is down to the generator of the statistics to draw the comparisons, etc.
Now the next thing is, premium pay, just because it has been hammered out in the private sector, TBH, I would like to see it returned, 1.5x Sat am, 2x Sat PM, 2x Sunday, 1.33(r)x double days, 1.66(r)x nights etc.
This has been taken away from the working man to line the pockets of big business who then in turn implement tax avoidance schemes, so the tax income to the UK Govt has been raped away into the pockets of the super rich.
To the detriment of the general populous.
Simply wrong, because the super risk simply avoid paying their way in society and lump this onto the working classes, who have no means to avoid it, and as their wages are reduced due to such things, their tax income to the Govt is reduced, thus the funds to support public services are reduced, thus it's a viscous circle.
I HATE IT.
We still charge premium rates for weekend working, at the client request, if the client doesn't like it, tough, go find some other muppet to do the work.
Our customers don't seem too keen to do that, the work simply gets done during normal hours.
I simply don't work for less than I ask for, end of.
They can find someone else, but, they don't.
Now if every company did the same, and the employees, did the same, then the clients would simply HAVE to pay, the wages would go the employees the tax would be paid and, the Govt would have a greater income, however, as the majority of MP's have shares and interests in companies that provide services which they can make stupid money out of, they simply support any way for these companies to increase profits, thus increase their income.
NOTE carefully, I have NOT mentioned ANY party, why?...
Almost ANY MP has such interests, no matter what the party.
opcorn 
