Blogs

You can't eat GCSEs, Iain Duncan Smith, and they won't keep you warm

Thu, 02/07/2015 - 14:34 -- nick

The child poverty figure was out this week, and it surprised many people by showing no overall rise.

This wasn't the success the Conservatives tried to present it as; there is a target in place that commits the government to eradicating child poverty by 2020, the end of the current parliament, and this needs the figure to fall significantly every year with 2.3 million still below the breadline.

Bonfire of benefits - Cameron lists his own failings to explain problems

Mon, 22/06/2015 - 13:02 -- nick

The wait for the bonfire of benefits is nearing its end.

David Cameron is to make a key speech today on failings in the system, in advance of his government's big reveal of what will be lost on July 8th.

The BBC has seen an advance copy of the speech, and its audacity is breathtaking.

"When it comes to extending opportunity - there is a right track and a wrong track," he will say.

Tax credit cuts could cost 3.7 million families £1400 per year

Thu, 11/06/2015 - 12:11 -- nick

In advance of its first budget on 8th July the Conservative government is working on new ways to cut spending on welfare.

Having decided to protect the income of pensioners in every case, even giving free TV licences, bus passes and heating payments to millionnaires, they will cut £12 billion from all other benefits.

The BBC is reporting today that this will include £5 billion of child tax credits, meaning 3.7 million of the poorest families will lose around £1,400 every year and the unemployed will be less able to afford to take work.

Cutting benefits is not the route to full employment - Queen's Speech

Wed, 27/05/2015 - 13:10 -- nick

The Queen's Speech, which sets out the government's planned new laws, is taking place right now in the House of Commons.

Among the expected assaults on freedom and immigration are important proposals that will directly impact on unemployed people.

The new business secretary, Sajid Javid, has promised to cut 'red tape' on businesses by £10 billion, and the phrase should strike fear into the heart of decent people.

Failure IDS is back to wreak havoc in the DWP - but why?

Mon, 18/05/2015 - 13:43 -- nick

The dust is beginning to settle on the shock Tory election win, and the ministerial appointments and cabinet have taken shape.

After Esther McVey lost her seat - to few tears from the unemployed she did so much to hurt but many suggestions for future jobs - a new Employment Minister was found in Priti Patel, who comes from an even harder right wing of the Conservative Party than McVey.

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