SOUTHPORT-born leader of the TUC, Brendan Barber, will tonight outline an alternative economic vision to the Government’s proposals for recovery in an address at the University of Liverpool.

In Place of Austerity is the second lecture in the university’s management school’s Burning Issues series of lectures on the future of business.

The series is sponsored by law firm Weightmans and the Liverpool Daily Post.

Mr Barber, who attended St Mary’s College in Crosby, will assert that the current economic strategy is not working and is leading to rising unemployment, falling growth and increased borrowing.

He believes the Government must change course to encourage consumers to spend again, businesses to grow, and reduce the deficit.

He will present a five-point plan that the trades union organisation believes will benefit the economy, including a more sensible timetable for deficit reduction, fair taxation, a proper strategy for growth, measures to get Britain working and more even distribution of wealth.

In his lecture Mr Barber will insist: “One thing’s for sure – we cannot continue as we are.

“The current model of capitalism – deregulated, unequal, unstable – is facing a crisis of legitimacy. The economic predicament we face is dire and people are rightly getting angry.

“Unless we get to grips with the causes of the turmoil, then who knows what the future holds?”

He will add: “These really are profoundly volatile and turbulent times.”

BRENDAN Barber’s lecture starts at 5.30pm, today. Free tickets should be booked in advance via www.liv.ac. uk/events/burning-issues/ or by telephoning 0151 794 2650