Downgrades of growth and wages shows this is no budget for the next generation, says TUC

Responding to today’s (Wednesday) Budget Statement, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: 

“The Chancellor’s speech shows his gamble isn’t paying off. Far from increasing growth, he’s had to downgrade his forecasts and accept that his plan is failing on productivity and pay.

“Real earnings next year are set to grow even more slowly than he’d previously announced. And he’s had to admit that overall government debt is up too.

“The next generation needs a strong economy with more decent jobs. But instead they are faced with more than a decade of lost wages, hundreds of children’s centres and libraries closing, and the prospect of further cuts hitting public services into the future.

“A fair budget for the next generation would have delivered far more investment in infrastructure, jobs and homes and fewer eye-catching gimmicks.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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