Full employment commitment welcome, but more must be done to make work pay

Welcoming George Osborne’s speech earlier today (Monday) in which he said that a future Conservative government would be committed to achieving full employment, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The 2.3 million people currently without work across the UK will be heartened to learn that the Chancellor is committed to the goal of full employment and making work pay.

“But if George Osborne wants to achieve these important objectives he needs to address the living standards crisis and secure fairer wages, especially for low-paid workers, not cut their tax credits. Benefit cuts are not the route to full employment.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org

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

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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