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date: 3 December 2008

embargo: For immediate release

Queen's Speech is right for recession

Responding to the Queen's Speech, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Today's announcements nearly all hit the right note for these recessionary times. They combine measures that will help beat the recession with a determination to press ahead with measures that will make the country fairer.

'There is much to welcome:

• The decision to press ahead with the right to request flexible working means that ministers have come to the obvious conclusion that a mere right to request does not threaten a single job.
• Legally binding child poverty targets underline the Government's most radical commitment.
• A tough banking bill will reassure both business and individual consumers that a different kind of banking system has to emerge the other side of the downturn.
• A new equality bill will sensibly bring existing equality legislation into one coherent whole, but also provides the opportunity to do more to end unjust discrimination.

'But the welfare reform proposals stick out. They look like a leftover from pre-recessionary times. They are based on the view that anyone can get a job if they have the right attitudes, training and advice.

'Of course we should not tolerate those who cheat the system, but with the dole queue set to grow by more than a million, the newly redundant need help, guidance and decent benefits not to be treated as potential benefit scroungers.

'Ordinary people need to know the Government is on their side in these difficult times. That message has been reinforced today.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- 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 (400 words) issued 3 Dec 2008