Government must be “laser focused” on jobs and living standards

Commenting ONS figures showing quarterly GDP growing by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, and by  0.3% in March, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

“It’s positive that our economy was stronger at the start of the year.

“But after years of falling living standards, working people need both sustained growth and action to ensure that gains are fairly shared.

“Families and businesses are battling against a life-shattering cost of living crisis, and fear their situation will only get worse due to Donald Trump’s illegal war in Iran.

“So as rising petrol, gas and mortgage costs heap more pressure on family budgets, the government must be laser focused on jobs and living standards. Working people, their families and communities must be at the centre of every decision.

“That means action must be taken now to protect families in the face of rising bills, and to support more young people into good jobs and training.

“And banks’ bumper profits must be taxed fairly, to raise the funds needed to shield households and firms from the damaging impacts of the war.”