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Commenting on the latest labour market figures published yesterday (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“These are encouraging figures for the millions of people desperate for work. It is good that unemployment levels continue to fall, and that young people are finally beginning to share in the improving jobs market.

“But people already in work have less to cheer about with prices still rising twice as fast as wages. While we have a record proportion of women in employment the widening gender pay gap means many women are not getting the fair pay they deserve.

“Jobless levels are falling but there’s a long way to go before we see the rates of pay and employment enjoyed before the recession.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The latest labour market figures are available at www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_350998.pdf

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth    T: 020 7467 1372    M: 07717 531150     E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson   T: 020 7467 1337    M: 07900 910624     E: egibson@tuc.org.uk