THE Trade Union Congress said the North West is continuing to suffer most from the government’s austerity programme.

New Office for National Statistics figures have revealed unemployment has risen in the North West by 24,000, meaning 294,000 are now out of work. This is despite a national fall in unemployment.

Lynn Collins, regional secretary of the TUC in the North West, said: “It’s clear proof that more needs to be done and that the government’s plans just aren’t working.”