Labour launches recovery blueprint

TAX hikes for high earners and wage caps for the public service form the central plank of Labour’s blueprint for economic recovery.

Launching its pre-budget programme for reform, party leader Eamon Gilmore said taking 100,000 people off the dole queues by the end of next year would be his priority in government.

Mr Gilmore said the jobs initiative would cost €1.1bn and that €1.3bn could be saved on the public sector pay rolls by imposing wage caps on top salaries and negotiating with unions for a 6.75% pay bill reduction in each agency.