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date: 26 January 2010

embargo: For immediate release

Threat of double dip recession looms large, warns TUC

Commenting on figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics which show that the UK economy is estimated to have grown by 0.1 per cent in the final quarter of 2009, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'These figures show just how fragile the economy is. With the threat of a double dip recession looming large, it would be madness to cut public spending now.

'The 2.5 million people currently without work will draw little comfort from the news that the UK is now officially out of recession. Unemployment will increase again, with more people continuing to face long spells out of work.

'No sectors of the economy are fully recovered and areas such as construction are still really struggling. Tough decisions lie ahead to get Britain back in full working order.'

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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
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 26 Jan 2010