Frances O’Grady, leader of the Trade Union Congress, has suggested that unemployment is being used as part of a government strategy to decrease pay.
A motion at the TUC’s annual conference next week warned that increasing unemployment is a “deliberate policy aim of this government”. O’Grady then went on to suggest there is evidence to suggest that lengthening the benefits queue could possibly be a calculated political move.
“There was certainly a strong view in the 1980s, not just amongst trade unions, but also among a number of intellectuals and commentators, that unemployment was being used as a deliberate measure to keep pay down, and to keep people scared.”
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said:
“To suggest youth unemployment is a deliberate policy is a ridiculous accusation that is, quite frankly, utterly laughable.
