TUC slams no-deal Brexit plans


The TUC has criticised government claims that preparations for a no-deal Brexit are on track, warning that a no-deal Brexit will damage the economy and lead to job losses and frozen pay packets.


Commenting on labour market figures showing that real wages are still worth 0.8% less than a decade ago and job vacancies are falling, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “With wages not yet recovered from the financial crisis, workers now face the risk of a new recession. And although full-time employment is up, the fall in vacancies is a worrying sign.” 


She said a no-deal Brexit would shrink the economy, wipe out jobs and hold back pay. “No responsible prime minister would ever consider causing that kind of crisis.”

The government must rule out a no-deal Brexit, she added, and invest in public services to support growth.

In response to the latest inflation figures showing a small rise in CPI inflation to 2.1%, O’Grady said the rise is a reminder that a dramatic fall in the pound could push prices up more.

https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/jobs-and-pay-risk-no-deal-brexit-says-tuc