THE irony of the public services strikes is that in drawing attention to the dispute, it surely highlights the significance of the public services, of those who work in them and their economic value.

In the real world, the one that David Cameron patronises with his sweeping statements heralding recovery and growth, I don’t see evidence of growth, other than the rich getting richer and their successes riding on those workers who are on zero-hours contracts and low pay.

Among the Conservative elements of the Coalition, this is what growth represents: keeping wage demands down and raking in as much profit as they can.

But what of the average family in this country? Their wages remain stagnant, or in real terms have decreased. No bonuses for them.

As tax payers we are funding the extravagance of the ‘bonus’ culture, in the city and in Westminster.

Something like the £1bn deficit in the Royal Mail sell off would, if committed by anyone in the real world, have resulted in more than just a reprimand. Yet it has been ignored.

Selling off public utilities suits the Coalition, promoting private enterprise and keeping the wealthy financial backers of the Conservative party happy while helping them make a few quid into the bargain.

This is not about social responsibility, just greed. One set of rules for the rich and keeping down the demands of the lower paid, in the public, as well as the private sector.

What the government calls wage demands are, in reality, merely a call for a living wage. Low pay is unacceptable and with it increasing inequality.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe.