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Commenting on the latest employment figures published by the ONS today (Tuesday), which show payrolls returning to pre-pandemic levels but a fall of 370,000 jobs across the hardest-hit sectors, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

Commenting on the latest employment figures published by the ONS today (Tuesday), which show payrolls returning to pre-pandemic levels but a fall of 370,000 jobs across the hardest-hit sectors, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:    

“While it’s good news that more people are back in work, many working families are facing an uncertain autumn with the end of the furlough scheme – still supporting 1.6 million jobs – and a £20 cut to the weekly budgets of two million low-paid workers.  

“The chancellor needs a plan to support jobs and family incomes. That means stopping the universal credit cut and extending the furlough scheme in hard hit sectors for as long as is needed to protect jobs and livelihoods.” 

Editors note

- Today’s labour market statistics from the ONS are available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/september2021  
- The hardest hit industries are manufacturing, wholesale and retail, accommodation and food, and arts and entertainment. 
- The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living. 

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