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Commenting on David Cameron's speech on Europe today (Monday), in which he talked about the importance of the UK's role in the world, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

date: 10 June 2013

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on David Cameron's speech on Europe today (Monday), in which he talked about the importance of the UK's role in the world, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'David Cameron should have used today's speech to outline how Britain could work with the EU to improve jobs, growth and living standards.

'However, the Prime Minister opted instead to take a cheap shot at teachers and welfare claimants by spuriously claiming they were holding Britain back in the global race.

'The real reason we are falling behind is because of his government's economic policies. Our economy is recovering more slowly than the vast majority of advanced economies as a result of ministers' blind obedience to self-defeating austerity.

'Without a fresh approach and bold investment we will continue to trail our economic rivals. Lambasting schools and the most vulnerable in our society cannot hide that fact.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Research published by the TUC last month revealed that the UK is experiencing a slower economic recovery than 23 of the 33 advanced economies monitored by the International Monetary Fund.

- The research showed that UK income per head - economic growth that takes account of population change - will not return to its pre-crash level until 2017.

- The TUC's campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

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

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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

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