In June, £49.9 million was cut from the Working Neighbourhoods Fund, an area based grant paid to local authorities by the Department for Communities (CLG). The funding is intended to support attempts to tackle concentrations of worklessness in deprived areas.  The cut was accompanied by a removal...

Once again, much respect to Standard Life for putting its various policy type documents in the public domain here. And here (pdf) is its response to the Rights Issue Fee Enquiry, the thing set up under the imprint of the IIC (the body set up after Paul Myners said the ISC wasn't working) to look at...

If they can can do this in the US why not here? And why not as part of the BIS consultation on narrative reporting? US companies face a “logistical nightmare” from a new rule forcing them to disclose the ratio between their chief executive’s pay package and that of the typical employee, lawyers...

All public services will be hit by the unnecessary ConDem cuts. The Police Service will be particularly badly hit. There are 5 police forces in the East Midlands and all of them will be hit by cuts....

"Walk the streets where strikers, suffragettes and rebel councillors made their stand for the rights and dignity of ordinary working women and men from the 1880s to the 1920s. Find out what they did, who led and supported them, and why they should be remembered and celebrated. Places on this walk...

Free fruit for children in Glasgow’s primary schools is reportedly at risk of being cut. The cut would apparently save the council £1.2 million annually – a small part of the £115 million that Glasgow reportedly needs to cut over the next two years. Breakfast clubs, fitness initiatives...

The FT reports on proposals from the influential London Pension Fund Authority (LPFA) for ‘sweeping changes to local government workers’ pension...

After 13 days on strike, over one million striking South African public servants will vote today on a revised Government offer. Reuters reports that the government ‘increased its offer to 7.5 percent...

My morning reading is an article by the Deputy Mayor of Paris on how they brought their water service back into public control. It has a particular relevance for Scotland because of the business led...

Would you like to learn some useful BSL signs for use when at work, to assist you in dealing with people who use BSL as their first language? We are offering you an opportunity to join us for a day of fun and learning at ASHFORD TRAIN CREW DEPOT See the poster for details and who to...

Education is a subject close to my heart as I passionately believe in an education for all not a two tiered education system and that places of learning should also...

Lib Dem's to Axe 1,000 Nursesat NHS Direct Gail Adams UNISONhead of nursing said"NHS Direct is a ground-breaking success story that has taken pressure off the emergency services and provided much needed advice and support to people. "Private call centres with unqualified staff can never replace...

 I thought I would cheer up every one's Bank holiday by posting this picture from the AGM of Newham Council.  The photo was taken in the historic Old Town Hall in Stratford.  I hope this isn't seen as political boasting but:- In the London Borough of Newham 60 out of the...

 You would think from recent announcements by Osborne (and whatever Libdem spokesperson) that we are indeed about to go cap in hand to the IMF at any moment.  This BBC graph based on IMF figures reported upon yesterday on Labour list by Howard Dawber makes you think...

 The Wednesday of "European Health and Safety week" (25-29 October 2010) is also "National Health & Safety Inspection Day".  All trade union safety reps are encouraged to carry out a safety inspection of their workplace with their local management on that day. This year's theme...

We're doing transcripts of the most recent Writers' Guild podcasts, starting with this one of the interview with writer Jack Thorne. The big influence was whoever was writing EastEnders that week. I loved that show when I and I think that was probably the biggest influence on me working out what...

Report from a UNISONActive reader in Sydney, Australia: The makeup of the next Australian Government remains uncertain following the recent Australian elections. With both major parties requiring...

Ed Miliband yesterday backed the campaign by Richmond school meals workers to win sick pay and improved hourly rates. Speaking at the Richmond Labour Party meeting he pledged his support for their...

This weekend more stories have emerged about cuts in defence spending, featuring elements of the armed forces that are well-known to the public. Yesterday there were reports that the Ghurkha regiment is to be scrapped, today the newspapers featured reports that the Special Air Service is being...