New figures released by the Office for Rail and Road (ORR) last week revealed that since privatisation took effect, ticket prices have skyrocketed, with much of the rise happening in unregulated fares – so-called ‘stealth increases’. Between 1995 and 2015 fares rose across all…Read more…
The OECD, the ‘B-minus economy’, the case for infrastructure spending and the UK
Yesterday the OECD set out their view of the global economy. They make a constructive and very strong case for borrowing to finance infrastructure spending. B-minus performance OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría awarded the OECD economic performance a B-minus “The global economy is projected to…Read more…
‘Markit’ concede increasing concerns on recovery following services PMI
Just ahead of the election the weakness in the GDP figures was greeted with some scepticism (see here). Earlier this week there were disappointing manufacturing figures from Markit, who compile ‘purchasing managers’ index’ measures of activity. Yesterday Markit issued service…Read more…
Theft on a global scale
Corporate tax dodging was front and centre in the most recent election campaign, with leaders on both sides of the political spectrum pledging to take action against tax dodgers. Many of us…Read more…
8 surprising facts about trade union membership
The Office of National Statistics collects data on trade union membership every year and they’ve just released their report. You can read it yourself here, but for those who don’t have…Read more…
Why so tight-lipped? What Nicky Morgan wouldn’t say
Following her announcement that 1000 ‘failing’ schools would be converted into academies, Nicky Morgan was questioned repeatedly this morning about how many of those ‘failing’ schools are, in fact,…Read more…
Update: strike suspended
Unite negotiators have suspended strike action after the management of a Northern Ireland news distribution firm offering a significantly improved pay offer to its workers, many of whom are paid…Read more…
Down a dark path
Politics is a battle of ideas and if the voters don’t agree with yours they can let you know in no uncertain terms. We should all be thankful for that, even if as a Labour MP that message hurts right…Read more…
Work un-fair
New government threats to force another 50,000 unemployed 18-21 year olds onto Workfare placements with charities and voluntary groups is facing a fresh storm of protest. Volunteers Week,…Read more…
Soaring bills
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today (June 2) a pledge to clamp down on the health service’s soaring agency staff bill – a bill that’s spiralled out of control after his own government’s…Read more…
Winner takes it all
The London property market while considered a boom for one group of people is a crisis for many others. The day after the Tories secured a majority in the general election sales of luxury…Read more…
Will the doctor see you now?
Committing to a seven-day health service in the queen’s speech last week (May 27), the government echoed its manifesto pledge to provide GP access all days of the week from 8am to 8pm. …Read more…
No to poverty pay
Unite members at EM News Distribution are set to commence strike action for improved pay tomorrow (June 3) after an overwhelming ballot in favour of industrial action. Workers will…Read more…
Tartan Army calls on Qatar to Play Fair this Friday
Are you going to be in Edinburgh on Friday evening? Know anyone who will be? We need people who care about the exploitation being suffered by migrant workers in Qatar to help us protest at the…Read more…
Bromley: Tories ‘running amok’
Bromley council’s plans to carry out a mass privatisation of services are being challenged by members of Unite with a third wave of strikes. The selective strikes from June 10 to 20 come…Read more…
Celebrating 30 years of Women in the Fire Service
This year we celebrate 30 years of women in the fire service. It is also time to say farewell to Paddington, London, White Watch manager Sian Griffiths, who is retiring after 30 years. One of the…Read more…
Uplifting success
The dispute over a tracker device in the vehicles of employees working at the Finnish-owned lift firm Kone has been successfully settled today (June 1). As a result, the two-week strike by 300…Read more…
Double dose of bad news on manufacturing
Over the past year official statistics have shown growth in the manufacturing sector steadily slowing to a near halt, with in 2015Q1 quarterly growth only just above zero at 0.1 per cent. Today two private sector sources reported this weakness continui…Read more…
Conservatives wishing to be ‘more human’ should embrace trade unions
Three and a half weeks on from the General Election, there is much soul-searching taking place in Labour circles. But what of the Conservatives? They won the election, so they simply need to implement their manifesto, right? Well, no actually. Clearly …Read more…
Never forget working people
There has been much discussion in the wake of the disastrous general election result about the future direction of our party. A full and frank conversation must take place, involving all parts of our…Read more…