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date: 25 May 2010

embargo: For immediate release

Overwhelming focus on reducing the deficit is a huge mistake, says TUC

Responding to the Queen's Speech announced today (Tuesday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The Speech contains important issues to welcome - restoring the state pension link with earnings, cracking down on high-risk activities in the City, and an extra push on green energy.

'Extending flexible working rights to all employees and further action to close the pay gap could also bring positive changes to UK workplaces.

'But plans to scrap important initiatives to get young people into work, abolish key public bodies and throw public sector workers on the dole will only worsen the fragile economic situation.

'The Government's overwhelming focus on reducing the deficit, when ministers should be concentrating on restoring growth and halting rising unemployment, is a huge mistake.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Further analysis and comment on the Queen's speech will be available at www.touchstoneblog.org.uk

- 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:
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

Press release (300 words) issued 25 May 2010