TUC: UK trade union bodies warn of risk to regional economies from cuts‏

Representatives of the Scottish, Welsh and Irish trade union centres met with the TUC at its annual Congress in Manchester today to discuss the impact of the Con Dem Government's economic policies. The proposed cuts in public spending will hit the devolved nations hard, as well as many of the most vulnerable areas and regions of England.

The latest unemployment figures, due out tomorrow, are expected to show rates remaining high across the UK, with young people particularly hard hit, says the TUC.

The four union bodies agreed to call on the leaders of the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to collaborate in emphasising to the UK Government the consequences of its policies for the economies of the devolved nations and the English regions, particularly for jobs in the private and public sectors.

The union bodies will urge the leaders to make the case for a more sensible timescale for deficit reduction, for much more emphasis on closing the fiscal gap through fairer taxation, and above all for investment in growth.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/tuc-18482-f0.cfm