Growth welcome but two years late in arriving, says TUC

date: 25 October 2012

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the latest GDP figures for the third quarter of 2012 published today (Thursday), which show that the UK economy grew by one per cent, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'It's good news that the economy has finally stopped shrinking, although this growth has taken far too long to arrive.

'London 2012 has given us a much-needed boost, and there are signs of underlying growth too, but you can't build a strong economy on bank holidays and Olympic fever alone.

'The economy is barely any bigger than it was two years ago and we are still on course for the slowest recovery this century.

'Austerity has already set us back at least two years. It's time to change course so we can make up for lost time and secure the strong sustained growth we desperately need to create good quality jobs and ensure real wage rises for hard-pressed families.'

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