The UK faces a never-before-seen triple-dip recession after new statistics suggested lacklustre manufacturing growth in January.
Yesterday (12 March) the Office for National Statistics revealed manufacturing slid 1.5 per cent during the first month of 2013, contributing heavily to a 1.2 per cent decrease in overall production.
Figures include falls of 9.3 per cent in mining and quarrying, 3 per cent in manufacturing and 2.2 per cent in the waste management sector.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: “Last week even the Office for Budget Responsibility - set up by this Coalition government - confirmed that Cameron’s cuts agenda was holding back economic growth.
“Today’s figures continue to demonstrate that the prime minister must put the interests of the country first and initiate a programme of public spending to get the economy working again and avoid a triple-dip recession made in Downing Street.
“Next week’s Budget should be used to outline a bold strategy for jobs and growth. We know that public service jobs have been cut too far too fast.”
