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date: 17 February 2010

embargo: For immediate release

Not the time to cut back on support to tackle unemployment, says TUC

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures published today (Wednesday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'These figures show that unemployment was static over the Christmas period. Given that many were predicting that joblessness would still be rising, this is a vindication of the Government's extra investment in support for the unemployed.

'However, the economy is still on a knife edge. Any suggestion that now is the time to start cutting back on the extra support for unemployed people should be firmly rejected.

'The continuing fall in youth unemployment is very encouraging and shows that Government investment in training and jobs is starting to pay off. Those who say we can't afford these policies are effectively saying that mass youth unemployment is a price worth paying.

'The record number of involuntary part-time workers shows that beneath the surface millions of people are under-employed. The recession will not be over for these people until they are back in secure jobs and working the hours they need to earn to a decent living.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC monthly recession reports can be downloaded from www.touchstoneblog.org.uk

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

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 17 Feb 2010