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date: 20 February 2013

embargo: For immediate release

Unemployment fall welcome but not everyone is benefiting, says TUC

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

'It's encouraging to see another fall in unemployment, but not everyone is benefiting from the recent jobs growth.

'The number of young people out of work is edging back up towards a million, so the Chancellor must put tackling our youth jobs crisis at the top of his Budget priority list. He can start by introducing a guarantee of paid work for any young person out of work for six months or longer.

'The further squeeze on people's wages is also concerning. This is looking less like a temporary blip, and more like a longer-term problem for the economy.

'Without stronger growth, new jobs will continue to be concentrated in low-wage, low-productivity sectors and we won't see the healthy pay rises that we so desperately need.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The labour market figures are available at http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/february-2013/statistical-bulletin.html

- Further TUC analysis is available at www.toucstoneblog.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

Press release (300 words) issued 20 Feb 2013