Latest News
In the Commons this week: Deregulation and the gender pay gap
2 July 2015
Conservative MPs congratulated themselves over deregulation.
Plans to reduce sickness benefit leaked
2 July 2015
A leaked Whitehall paper suggests that part of the Employment and Support Allowance may be scrapped.
Public enquiry into undercover policing should include infiltration of trade unions
1 July 2015
Public enquiry into undercover police activity must include trade unions and blacklisting
The Campaign for Trade Union Freedom Durham event
Speakers include: Prof Keith Ewing President of IER and President of CTUF
John Hendy, QC Chair of IER and Vice President of CTUF
Owen Jones Guardian columnist, author of ‘The Establishment’ and ‘Chavs’
Tony Burke AGS of Unite the Union and Chair of CTUF
Chair: Carolyn Jones Director of IER and Assistant National Secretary of CTUF
EHCR: “no option is off the table”
26 Jun 2015
On Conservative plans to leave the European Convention on Human Rights; “no option is off the table”.
“Zombie-like” ISDS lives on
26 Jun 2015
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady attacked the continued presence of ISDS in CETA, at European Commission Trade Policy Day in Brussels this Tuesday (23 June).
Union leaders warn over EU reform negotiations
25 June 2015
The GMB has warned that trade unions will push for Britain to quit the EU if member states allow Cameron to weaken workers’ rights as part of his “reform” package, in a letter to European leaders.
Cuts to tax credits will leave families £1,690 worse off a month
25 June 2015
Cameron is planning savage cuts to tax credits which could lead working families to lose up to £1,690 a month.
IMF Report: Less wage inequality necessary to boost growth
19 June 2015
The International Monetary Fund has published a report admitting that poor income distribution and stagnating wages was instrumental in the financial crisis. Yet it continues to pursue policy that actively promotes inequality; “The contradictions and irrationality of capitalism in a nutshell”, in the words of John Hendy QC.
Latest labour market statistics
19 June 2015
According to the Office for National Statistics, unemployment has fallen by 43,000 to 1.81 million, and wage growth at 2.7% both including and excluding bonuses, a four year high. It goes without saying that recent improvements do not make up for years of stagnation.
Public sector cuts have hit the North East hardest
19 June 2015
Office for National Statistics data shows a loss of 400,000 public sector jobs in the UK. The North East lost the most jobs, with the South East losing the least.
Pension exit fees
19 June 2015
George Osborne has said that the Treasury will investigate early exit fees as part of a consultation next month.
