Search

date: 23 May 2010

embargo: 00.01hrs Monday 24 May 2010

Early cuts will harm frontline public services and risk a double-dip recession

Commenting on Government plans to announce £6 billion worth of early spending cuts today (Monday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The UK economy is still extremely fragile and global uncertainty makes early recovery even harder. Taking any money out of the economy at the moment is dangerous as there is a real risk of a double dip recession, which will only damage the state of the public finances further.

'Politicians always claim spending cuts will fall on backroom administration but the frontline cannot function without proper support. Making doctors, nurses and teachers do the necessary paperwork once done by support staff is bound to hit services.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (200 words) issued 24 May 2010