The VAT and corporation tax changes in 2011 mean that banks could soon be paying a lower tax rate than consumers, basic rate taxpayers and small businesses, the TUC says today (Monday). People going shopping in the January sales will be the first to feel the pinch of VAT increasing from 17.5 to 20 per cent on Tuesday 4 January 2011. Recent TUC research found that VAT will hit the poorest fifth of households harder than the richest as they spend twice as much of their income on items subject to VAT.
The headline rate of corporation tax is also set to fall from 28 per cent to 27 per cent in April 2011.
However the recent TUC report The Corporate Tax Gap found that the effective corporation tax rate for large multinational companies – the headline corporation tax rate minus the various tax loopholes they are able to exploit to bring down their tax bill – fell to 21 per cent in 2009, and has fallen by 0.5 percentage points every year since 2000. This means that multinational companies including banks could legally pay as little as 19 per cent corporation tax in 2011, the TUC says.
The VAT and corporation tax changes will further skew the UK tax system in favour of high profit industries such as banking over small businesses, who will be hit hard by the VAT rise. With banks still refusing to lend to SMEs, the forthcoming tax changes will deliver a big blow to hopes of a private sector recovery, the TUC believes.
UK banks will be able to offset the forthcoming corporation tax rate cut against the government’s £2.5 billion bank levy and actually cut their tax bill in 2011. Giving UK banks a tax cut makes a mockery of government rhetoric on getting tough on the banks for causing the global financial crash, says the TUC.
The TUC wants the government to confirm that the VAT increase will only be a temporary measure and to take firmer action on the banks to make sure that they start paying their fair share towards clearing up the mess they made.
A Robin Hood tax on financial transactions could raise revenue to invest in growth or cut the deficit, while more transparency on bonus levels in the City could help to limit the kind of reckless bonus-fuelled decision making that helped the cause the financial crash in the first place, says the TUC.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Shoppers looking for bargains in the January sales will soon be paying more to clear the debts racked up by the banks when they plunged the UK into recession and asked for a multi-trillion pound bailout.
“People will not happy to learn that banks have managed to earn themselves a tidy tax cut as a reward for their failure while the rest of us suffer from job losses, tax hikes and the wrecking of public services.
“It’s about time the government stops being in thrall to the banks and implements some serious reform. Otherwise banks will make the same mistakes again and everyone else will be forced to pay the price.
“Consumer spending and business growth are crucial to our economic recovery. The last things we need are mass job losses and VAT hikes that will stifle growth and spread misery throughout the country.”
- The TUC report that examines the effective rate of corporation tax The Corporate Tax Gap is available to download under embargo at www.tuc.org.uk/extras/corporatetaxgap.pdf
- The TUC tax briefing on VAT is available at www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-18033-f0.pdf
Midlands TUC Media This blog contains material from the Midlands TUC. Our media releases will appear on this site as well as linking to the Midlands TUC website which hosts our enewsletters and much more.
Monday, 27 December 2010
Thursday, 23 December 2010
End of an era at the Midlands TUC
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| Veronica with Sir David Perris, former Midlands TUC Regional Secretary |
Veronica has been at the TUC for 27 years, organised countless Regional Council and Executive meetings and dealt with thousands of trade union officers, stewards and members over the years. Before working at the TUC she provided admin and secretarial support to David, now Sir David, Perris at Birmingham Trades Council.
So much could be said about Veronica's contribution to the work of the TUC but it is not just about work. Veronica has been a friend to all her colleagues at the TUC, kind, generous and great fun to work with. We will miss you Veronica, and we wish you a long healthy and happy retirement.
Barriers and opportunities faced by LGB&T people in public and political life.
On 20 December 2010, Government commissioned research into the opportunities and barriers faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) people in public and political participation was published. The research was conducted by the Office for Public Management and forms part of the Government’s work programme ‘Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality’, which was launched in June 2010. The research and the wider work programme contribute to one of GEO’s key aims - to promote equal participation in civil society. By using the talents of everyone, we can make sure that our communities and institutions benefit from the whole range of experiences and skills of society. This report and its recommendations will enable us to develop targeted actions to improve the opportunities for, and tackle the barriers faced by, LGB&T people who want to participate in public, political and community life.
Below is a link to a copy of the report - please note if you want to print this it is 95 pages long.
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/pdf/Experiences%20of%20LGBT%20people_for%20publishing%20Dec%202010.pdf
Below is a link to a copy of the report - please note if you want to print this it is 95 pages long.
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/pdf/Experiences%20of%20LGBT%20people_for%20publishing%20Dec%202010.pdf
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
No Christmas cheer for the west midlands long-term unemployed, says TUC
Almost a quarter of a million people have now been on the dole for more than a year in the UK – more than twice as many as at the start of the last recession – and lots of them will be spending their second or even third successive Christmas out of work, says the TUC today (Wednesday).
In the west midlands Wolverhampton has the highest percentage increase (39%) with 2,695 people unemployed for more than a year compared to 1165 in the run up to Christmas 2007. Sandwell follows with an increase of 31%, Shropshire with 28% and Walsall with 25%.
The TUC analysis of official unemployment statistics reveals that more than a third of the 232 local authority areas across the UK (88 council areas) now have more than a thousand residents who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for at least 12 months, compared to just 26 council areas in December 2007.
At the beginning of the last recession, at the close of 2007, 18,175 individuals in the west midlands had been claiming JSA for more than 12 months. Now, almost three years on in November 2010, there are 31,240 who have been struggling to find work for more than a year.
The number of unemployed people outnumbering vacancies by more than five to one across the UK – rising to around 20 to one in some employment blackspots – and the jobs crisis could get even worse in the new year, the TUC warns.
Commenting on the figures, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Across the west midlands thousands and thousands of people have been struggling to find work – some of them for several years now – and for their families there won’t be much to celebrate this Christmas.
“While many families with working adults may be tightening their belts a little this Christmas, the thousands of long-term unemployed households will be anxiously juggling their family budgets, knowing only too well that their JSA of £65.45 isn’t going to buy much Christmas cheer this year.
“And with many local councils in the process of issuing redundancy notices to thousands of their employees over the coming weeks, the future for those about to lose their jobs and those who’ve been out of work for some time looks especially bleak.
“The government’s huge cuts to public spending will see thousands of public sector workers being made redundant in the new year, and those working in the private sector could be hit just as hard.
“We hope many of the people affected will bring their families to join our demonstration against the cuts on 26 March next year to try to show ministers the damage and widespread misery the cuts are causing, and persuade them that it is not too late to change course.”
In the west midlands Wolverhampton has the highest percentage increase (39%) with 2,695 people unemployed for more than a year compared to 1165 in the run up to Christmas 2007. Sandwell follows with an increase of 31%, Shropshire with 28% and Walsall with 25%.
The TUC analysis of official unemployment statistics reveals that more than a third of the 232 local authority areas across the UK (88 council areas) now have more than a thousand residents who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for at least 12 months, compared to just 26 council areas in December 2007.
At the beginning of the last recession, at the close of 2007, 18,175 individuals in the west midlands had been claiming JSA for more than 12 months. Now, almost three years on in November 2010, there are 31,240 who have been struggling to find work for more than a year.
The number of unemployed people outnumbering vacancies by more than five to one across the UK – rising to around 20 to one in some employment blackspots – and the jobs crisis could get even worse in the new year, the TUC warns.
Commenting on the figures, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Across the west midlands thousands and thousands of people have been struggling to find work – some of them for several years now – and for their families there won’t be much to celebrate this Christmas.
“While many families with working adults may be tightening their belts a little this Christmas, the thousands of long-term unemployed households will be anxiously juggling their family budgets, knowing only too well that their JSA of £65.45 isn’t going to buy much Christmas cheer this year.
“And with many local councils in the process of issuing redundancy notices to thousands of their employees over the coming weeks, the future for those about to lose their jobs and those who’ve been out of work for some time looks especially bleak.
“The government’s huge cuts to public spending will see thousands of public sector workers being made redundant in the new year, and those working in the private sector could be hit just as hard.
“We hope many of the people affected will bring their families to join our demonstration against the cuts on 26 March next year to try to show ministers the damage and widespread misery the cuts are causing, and persuade them that it is not too late to change course.”
No Christmas cheer for the East Midlands long-term unemployed, says TUC
Almost a quarter of a million people have now been on the dole for more than a year in the UK – more than twice as many as at the start of the last recession – and lots of them will be spending their second or even third successive Christmas out of work, says the TUC today (Wednesday).In the east midlands Derby has the highest percentage increase (29%) with 1,175 people unemployed for more than a year compared to 910 in the run up to Christmas 2009. Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire all show high double digit increases at 23%, 22% and 19% respectively.
The TUC analysis of official unemployment statistics reveals that more than a third of the 232 local authority areas across the UK (88 council areas) now have more than a thousand residents who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for at least 12 months, compared to just 26 council areas in December 2007.
At the beginning of the last recession, at the close of 2007, 7,260 individuals in the east midlands had been claiming JSA for more than 12 months. Now, almost three years on in November 2010, there are 17,035 who have been struggling to find work for more than a year.
The number of unemployed people outnumbering vacancies by more than five to one across the UK – rising to around 20 to one in some employment blackspots – and the jobs crisis could get even worse in the new year, the TUC warns.
Commenting on the figures, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Across the east midlands thousands and thousands of people have been struggling to find work – some of them for several years now – and for their families there won’t be much to celebrate this Christmas.
“While many families with working adults may be tightening their belts a little this Christmas, the thousands of long-term unemployed households will be anxiously juggling their family budgets, knowing only too well that their JSA of £65.45 isn’t going to buy much Christmas cheer this year.
“And with many local councils in the process of issuing redundancy notices to thousands of their employees over the coming weeks, the future for those about to lose their jobs and those who’ve been out of work for some time looks especially bleak.
“The government’s huge cuts to public spending will see thousands of public sector workers being made redundant in the new year, and those working in the private sector could be hit just as hard.
“We hope many of the people affected will bring their families to join our demonstration against the cuts on 26 March next year to try to show ministers the damage and widespread misery the cuts are causing, and persuade them that it is not too late to change course.”
The TUC analysis of official unemployment statistics reveals that more than a third of the 232 local authority areas across the UK (88 council areas) now have more than a thousand residents who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for at least 12 months, compared to just 26 council areas in December 2007.
At the beginning of the last recession, at the close of 2007, 7,260 individuals in the east midlands had been claiming JSA for more than 12 months. Now, almost three years on in November 2010, there are 17,035 who have been struggling to find work for more than a year.
The number of unemployed people outnumbering vacancies by more than five to one across the UK – rising to around 20 to one in some employment blackspots – and the jobs crisis could get even worse in the new year, the TUC warns.
Commenting on the figures, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Across the east midlands thousands and thousands of people have been struggling to find work – some of them for several years now – and for their families there won’t be much to celebrate this Christmas.
“While many families with working adults may be tightening their belts a little this Christmas, the thousands of long-term unemployed households will be anxiously juggling their family budgets, knowing only too well that their JSA of £65.45 isn’t going to buy much Christmas cheer this year.
“And with many local councils in the process of issuing redundancy notices to thousands of their employees over the coming weeks, the future for those about to lose their jobs and those who’ve been out of work for some time looks especially bleak.
“The government’s huge cuts to public spending will see thousands of public sector workers being made redundant in the new year, and those working in the private sector could be hit just as hard.
“We hope many of the people affected will bring their families to join our demonstration against the cuts on 26 March next year to try to show ministers the damage and widespread misery the cuts are causing, and persuade them that it is not too late to change course.”
Monday, 20 December 2010
Birmingham Refuse workers determined to win dispute
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| Gerard Coyne, Unite Regional Secretary |
Unite Regional Secretary Gerard Coyne said, "I am proud of the action you have taken today, you have stayed disciplined throughout the dispute and stuck it out on the picket lines despite the dreadful weather conditions."
Over 90% of the refuse workers voted to take industrial action in defence of Birmingham City Councils move to grab £4,000 from each worker. "It is not just about the money thought," continued Mr Coyne,"It is about dignity and respect - something the Council denies you through their total inability to listen to the alternative case from the trade union side".
The meeting also heard from UNISON's Graham Horne who explained that the refuse workers dispute was one of a series of attacks on the terms and conditions of City Council employees. Connexions staff were also in dispute with their action due in early January. "The so called Birmingham Contract is going to be imposed on 26,000 non education staff. It means the end of weekend and shift premiums, the end of unsocial hours payments. Some of the lowest paid staff in the council rely on theses payments including up to 1,000 Home Help staff who stand to lose £3,000 a year," said Mr Horne.
The meeting ended with the Chair, Steve Foster, outlining the next steps with a meeting scheduled with the employers for 23rd December.
2,000 hits on the blog!
When we set up this blog in December 2008, we thought it might be a slow start to get people to visit - after all, there are a lot of ways to get information from the TUC and a new blog would take some time to gather impetus. And that is how it started, slowly!
It took 18 months to get the first 1,000 hits, which we recorded in June of this year. Six months later we have had our second thousand hits, so we seem to be getting a head of steam going.
We are really pleased with how the blog is progressing, not least as we have some idea of where visitors come from. As you might expect, the largest number of hits come from the UK. This closely follwed by the USA.
The list of countries from where we have had most viewings is fascinating!
United Kingdom 667
United States 600
Netherlands 157
Russia 132
Germany 57
Ukraine 33
China 23
South Korea 22
Italy 19
Latvia 18
So, who are you all and why do you visit our blog? It would be really interesting to know why you visit, and why you come back. And, is there anything in particular you would like to see us report? Let us know by commenting on this story, below.
And did you know we have other blogs?
http://midtuclgbtnetwork.blogspot.com/
http://midlandssrr.blogspot.com/
It took 18 months to get the first 1,000 hits, which we recorded in June of this year. Six months later we have had our second thousand hits, so we seem to be getting a head of steam going.
We are really pleased with how the blog is progressing, not least as we have some idea of where visitors come from. As you might expect, the largest number of hits come from the UK. This closely follwed by the USA.
The list of countries from where we have had most viewings is fascinating!
United Kingdom 667
United States 600
Netherlands 157
Russia 132
Germany 57
Ukraine 33
China 23
South Korea 22
Italy 19
Latvia 18
So, who are you all and why do you visit our blog? It would be really interesting to know why you visit, and why you come back. And, is there anything in particular you would like to see us report? Let us know by commenting on this story, below.
And did you know we have other blogs?
http://midtuclgbtnetwork.blogspot.com/
http://midlandssrr.blogspot.com/
Birmingham Centre for the Unemployed launch new blog!
The Birmingham Centre for the Unemployed have launched a new blog to keeep people up to date with welfare rights issues in Birmingham.
The blog has been supported by the Midlands TUC office, with Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon saying, "I am delighted to see the Centre looking for new ways to get the message across about welfare benefits. In these days with more redundancies looming, people who have never been out of work will require all the help they can get to ensure they are not losing out."
You can visit the blog at: http://birminghamuwc.wordpress.com/
The blog has been supported by the Midlands TUC office, with Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon saying, "I am delighted to see the Centre looking for new ways to get the message across about welfare benefits. In these days with more redundancies looming, people who have never been out of work will require all the help they can get to ensure they are not losing out."
You can visit the blog at: http://birminghamuwc.wordpress.com/
Friday, 17 December 2010
150 Post Offices gone this year already
On Wednesday of this week, hundreds gathered at Westminster to protest at the government's plans to privatise Royal Mail. People rallied to protect the universal postal service and the network of Post Offices at the heart of our communities.
Now you can join them in taking action to prevent the privatisation of Royal Mail right from home. Please take 60 seconds to send a letter to your MP.
Our protest seeks to protect the universal service - six deliveries a week and one-price-goes-anywhere - particularly valued at this time of year. This key public service is a vital infrastructure that supports communities and local businesses. A private company may focus on cutting costs without considering the wider community impact.
To protect our local communities and your Christmas post, we must stop the privatisation of the Royal Mail. We need you to write to your local MP.
Speak out now. We've written a sample letter and supplied the contact info, we just need you to take a moment and add some personal touches.
http://www.keepthepostpublic.org.uk/email-your-MP
In a recent national survey, 78 percent of the public believed privatising Royal Mail would be a bad deal for the taxpayer and 82 percent believed prices would go up. So if you agree with the majority of Britains and don't want a more expensive, less regular service, don't let this government lead us to privatisation.
Take action now.
Billy Hayes, General Secretary, CWU
Keep the Post Public Coalition
TUC announces Apprentice prize winners
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| Chayoung Jeong (seated) talking to young prople at a student jobs fair in Birmingham |
First Prize (£50 HMV Voucher)
Curtis Peterson – workplace: Magellan Structures
Second Prize (£30 HMV Voucher)
Kieran Anthony Sherry- workplace: Airbus Operation Ltd – Filton Site
Third Prize (£20 HMV Voucher)
Grant Houldsworth - workplace: Ratcliffe Power Station
"The TUC is happy to support apprentices in work", said Project Worker Chayoung Jeong, "and we shall be publishing the findings from our survey in Januray."
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Midlands local authorities to lose three quarters of a billion pounds over two years
Figures announced by the government yesterday (Monday) indicate that local authorities across the midlands will lose slightly over three quarters of a billion pounds over the next two years.
Amongst the hardest hit will be Bolsover and Chesterfield councils with whopping reductions of over 20% and 16% respectively. Next comes Ashfield with over 12% sliced off its' budget.
In the west midlands Birmingham City Council, Stoke on Trent and Wyre Forest all post cuts in budget in excess of 8%.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said, "These cuts will de devastating for communities which rely on local services. It is just not good enough for the government to say services can be better for less or delivered by local people. They already are delivered by local people who dedicate their working lives to do just that. These cuts are an insult to communities and local authority workers. The government should hang its' head in shame at the devastation they are unleashing today"
Amongst the hardest hit will be Bolsover and Chesterfield councils with whopping reductions of over 20% and 16% respectively. Next comes Ashfield with over 12% sliced off its' budget.
In the west midlands Birmingham City Council, Stoke on Trent and Wyre Forest all post cuts in budget in excess of 8%.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said, "These cuts will de devastating for communities which rely on local services. It is just not good enough for the government to say services can be better for less or delivered by local people. They already are delivered by local people who dedicate their working lives to do just that. These cuts are an insult to communities and local authority workers. The government should hang its' head in shame at the devastation they are unleashing today"
Friday, 10 December 2010
A future that works: a TUC National Rally for Young People
The TUC's conference "A Future that works" will be held at Manchester Town Hall on Saturday January 29th 2011 from 10.30am to 2.30pm
The aim of the rally will be to highlight the impact of the recession and the coalition cuts on young workers and young people in general.
Speakers will include representatives from unions and the TUC, the NUS and other partner organisations. There will also be at least two speakers from union Young Members sections.
To ensure that as many unions as possible are represented and are able to participate, places will initially be allocated on the following basis;
· Unions with over 500,000 - 45 places
· Unions with over 250,000 - 35 places
· All other unions - 20 places
If you want to attend as a delegate you must get in contact with your union who will have their own proceedures for appointing delegates.
Further allocations may be made nearer to the event depending on uptake and demand.
The TUC will be asking unions to submit the names of attendees from their respective unions and will be directing enquiries to union Young Members Officers and TUC Young Members Forum representatives.
The aim of the rally will be to highlight the impact of the recession and the coalition cuts on young workers and young people in general.
Speakers will include representatives from unions and the TUC, the NUS and other partner organisations. There will also be at least two speakers from union Young Members sections.
To ensure that as many unions as possible are represented and are able to participate, places will initially be allocated on the following basis;
· Unions with over 500,000 - 45 places
· Unions with over 250,000 - 35 places
· All other unions - 20 places
If you want to attend as a delegate you must get in contact with your union who will have their own proceedures for appointing delegates.
Further allocations may be made nearer to the event depending on uptake and demand.
The TUC will be asking unions to submit the names of attendees from their respective unions and will be directing enquiries to union Young Members Officers and TUC Young Members Forum representatives.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Rowntree report echoes union concerns about in-work poverty, says TUC
Commenting on a new report published today (Monday) by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which shows that the number of children living in poverty in working households has increased to 2.1 million – the highest on record, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “This important report confirms the last government’s success in reducing the number of children in poverty, but it also shows that unions are right to be concerned about in-work poverty. If Britain wants to overcome this problem we will need increases in the minimum wage, tax credits and other in-work benefits, more affordable childcare and strong employment rights to protect vulnerable and exploited workers.”
For more information please visit http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/monitoring-poverty-2010
For more information please visit http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/monitoring-poverty-2010
Keep the Post Public - National Rally, 15th December 2010
Where: Central Hall, Storey's Gate, Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH.
Speakers include shadow Business Secretary John Denham and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. CWU general secretary Billy Hayes and deputy general secretary Dave Ward will be joined by other politicians and trade union leaders.
The timing is intended to give MPs a very clear message of the dissatisfaction with the Postal Services Bill and the deficiencies within the Bill, prior to the Parliamentary Christmas recess.
The Bill is currently in committee stage and CWU believes there are huge loopholes which put the universal service and post office network at risk. Postal workers will also be lobbying their local MPs in parliament after the rally.
Further Information on the campaign can be found here: http://www.cwu.org/support-the-campaign.html
Friday, 3 December 2010
Keep the Post Public rallies announced by CWU
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| Billy Hayes speaking in Dudley earlier this year |
CWU General Secretary Billy Hayes and Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey will speak at the 29th January rally in Victoria Square, Birmingham. The east midlands event will be held in Nottingham on 19th February.
Further information from Lee Baron; email: midlandregion@cwu.org
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