Annual TUC congress in Liverpool

Delegates take part in a silent vigil outside the TUC Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

General secretary Brendan Barber gestures during his speech Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Seeing double? Barber is projected onto a large screen behind Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

Billy Hayes, the general secretary of the Communication Workers Union Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Gordon Brown prepares to give his keynote address Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Brown gets going during his speech Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

The PM spoke to the delegates about the need for a cut in public spending Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Hands tied? The PM clasps his fingers together Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

The PM joins work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper and Brendan Barber on stage Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Shoppers take advantage of a sale in central London. Barber rejected government claims that Britain is coming out of recession Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA