TUC comments on the budget show a degree of satisfaction, however the unions believe more money should have been spent.

Responding to the 2009 Budget today TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said, "there is much to welcome in this Budget, particularly action on youth unemployment, some first steps in creating a fair tax system and better support for the unemployed."

 Also welcomed was the help that would be going the way of the construction industry. 

Barber said the establishment of a Strategic Investment Fund would provide real resources for Monday's welcome industrial strategy.

"Pensioners will welcome the increase in capital disregards. This Budget clearly acknowledges that the Government has a central role to play in turning the UK into a competitive low carbon economy, said Barber.

More spending

It was however not all praise from the TUC. 

"But it is does not bring the same boldness and vigour to getting the real economy right as the Government showed in dealing with the banking collapse. The biggest drain on the public finances will be continuing mass unemployment and we needed a bigger and better targeted stimulus to the economy today. A half per cent boost in public spending is not enough this year. Next year's tightening is too much, too soon and is based on an optimistic assumption that the recovery will start this year," said Barber.

In particular cuts in public spending were signalled out as being wrong.