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date: 26 January 2011

embargo: For immediate release

Graduate unemployment figures show government must act now to stop youth jobs crisis

Responding to new figures on graduate unemployment published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, which show the highest unemployment rate for new graduates in more than a decade, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'These figures show how hard young people have been hit by the jobs crisis. Nearly one million young people are unemployed, and almost twice as many graduates are now out of work compared to before the recession.

'So far the government's only response has been to cut funding for the Young Person's Guarantee - which provided support to unemployed young people including graduates - and replace it with a scheme that offers eight weeks' unpaid work experience and isn't even available to university leavers.

'Yesterday's shocking figures on economic growth should be enough to make the government think again - the focus must be on securing growth to create jobs, not on mindless cuts to our vital public services.

'On Saturday the TUC is organising a rally in Manchester to protest against the severe impact of the cuts and the government's austerity programme on young people. I would urge all those concerned to attend.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- A Future that Works is being organised by the TUC in partnership with the NUS and UCU, and will take place from 1-3pm at Platt Fields Park, 51 Mabfield Rd, Manchester M14 6LW, on Saturday (29 January). For more information please contact Carl Roper, TUC National Organiser, on 07717 531159 or email croper@tuc.org.uk

- A march to the rally site is being organised by the UCU and NUS. Details of assembly points and times are available from www.ucu.org.uk and www.nus.org.uk

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

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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 Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 26 Jan 2011