Members of the Trades Union Congress rallied at two north-east venues, Newcastle and Sunderland, to demonstrate concern at thousands of public sector workers facing unemployment in the north. The Unison union released a statement which said the deficit-busting UK Spending Review will have detrimental effects on both the public and private sector, adding: "There are real alternatives: clamping down on the tax dodgers and getting the banks to pay their fair share towards the recovery by imposing a Robin Hood Tax would raise billions."