On the eve of its March for the Alternative in London, the TUC has accused the Government of following an economic strategy that will lead to higher unemployment and no wage increases.

Commenting on the budget analysis published today by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The Government's economic strategy is leading us towards higher unemployment, lower household incomes and poorer public services, with no guarantee of deficit-reduction targets being met.

"With growth faltering and the figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility showing that inflation is set to outstrip wage growth for this year and next, the Government must heed the economic warning signs and change course."

The TUC has planned a demonstration in London tomorrow, with more than 100,000 people expected to march through the city, calling on the Government to abandon its damaging cuts and to set out an alternative based on jobs, fairer taxation and growth.