Young people are bearing the brunt of our jobs crisis, says TUC

date: 20 March 2013

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'Today's figures confirm our fears that economic stagnation has finally caught up with the jobs market.

'Young people are bearing the brunt of our jobs crisis, with the number of unemployed youngsters up 48,000 and approaching a million again.

'The news for those in work is not much better, with the gap between wages and the rising cost of living growing even wider.

'We won't see a proper recovery in the jobs market until we get growth back into the economy. That's why the Chancellor must change course and prioritise jobs, growth and living standards in his Budget today.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- TUC analysis of the Budget will be available at www.touchstoneblog.org.uk

- 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