“We demand a future that works” Brendan Barber to tell TUC rally

date: 19 October 2012

embargo: 00:01 hours 20 October 2012

Speaking at the rally at the end of the TUC's A Future That Works march and rally in central London, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber will say:

'It is fantastic to see so many people here today from every part of our community, all utterly determined to build a better, fairer future for our country.

'We have a stark and united message for the government.

'Austerity isn't working. It is hitting our jobs, our services, our living standards.

'It is hammering the poorest and the most vulnerable.

'And austerity is failing even on its own terms, for this is a government of broken promises.

'Ministers told us that if we only accept the pain, recovery would come. Instead we have been mired in a double dip recession.

'They told us if we only accepted the cuts, our deficit would come down. Instead our borrowing is going through the roof.

'The biggest lie of them all was the cynical double talk that 'we are all in this together' . The grim reality has been tax cuts for the richest with wage and benefit cuts for the poorest.

'Who can ever believe this shambolic, make-it-up-as-you-go-along government? They have done so many spins and u-turns they would get 10 out of 10 from the judges of Strictly Come Dancing.

'NHS safe in their hands? Not on your life.

'Recovery just around the corner - you must be joking.

'A strategy for growth - nowhere to be seen.

'It's time for change - for a future that puts people back to work, gets

our economy moving and tax revenues flowing.

'Those with the broadest shoulders should pay their fair share, including all the corporate tax dodgers ripping off Britain.

'One thing's for sure. Cuts, privatisation and attacks on employment rights are not the answer. They are the road to nowhere.

'So we have to make a choice.

'Between a future of growing inequality, or a future of fairness.

'Between a future of lengthy dole queues and millions stuck in dead-end poverty jobs, or decent work with opportunities for our young people.

'Between a future of economic stagnation and despair, or a future of hope and real recovery.

'Our choice is clear - today, we demand a future that works.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

- Today tens of thousands of people from across the UK will be heading to London for A Future That Works - a march which starts on the Embankment and ends with a rally in Hyde Park. The day is being organised by the TUC in protest against the government's austerity measures and calls for a new approach which puts growth and an economy that works for ordinary families at the heart of government policy. Further information is available at www.afuturethatworks.org

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk