Peter Dowd MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to news analysis showing that the UK recovery is slower than the US was during the Great Depression, said:

“This new research demonstrates the utter failure of Tory austerity.

“Eight years of cruel and unnecessary spending cuts are damaging our economy and inflicting misery on the lives of millions of people. Real wages are still lower today than in 2010 and spending cuts continue to push our public services into crisis.

“The Chancellor must use this year’s Budget to end the failure of austerity and repair the damage done to our schools, hospitals and local communities.”