Commenting further on the Emergency Budget today (Tuesday) TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “This Budget got the big judgement about the economy wrong.
“The economy is still fragile, and today’s measures will certainly slow recovery and could well stop it in its tracks. Spending and benefit cuts together with the VAT increase will take much needed spending power out of the economy. The private sector has been hit as hard as the public sector today.
“Nor does the Budget live up to any claim to be fair. The unexpectedly big cuts in benefits will hit not just the poor but middle income families too. Unemployment will continue to be high, and anyone leaving school or college in the next five years faces a bleak future.
“The rich have largely been let off. They will hardly notice the VAT increase. The bank levy is less than half the £5-8 billion predicted – and is a fraction of city bonuses. The capital gains tax (CGT) increase is full of loopholes, and won’t stop tax dodging.
“Some of the really bad news is yet to come. Unprotected departmental budgets will be savaged. Local government will need to slash services if they are to freeze council tax.
“Public servants did nothing to cause the slump but are being asked to bear an unfair share of the burden. A wage freeze when inflation is high is a real cut in living standards – and the small concession for the low paid is still less than inflation.
“This budget was economically dangerous and socially divisive. The one thing we can now say is that we are very definitely not all in this together. Those on middle and low incomes have done worse than expected, and the rich have been let off much of what they feared. But we will all suffer from an economy that is now likely to be sluggish at best, and with a double-dip recession at worst.”
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.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Budget is ‘dangerous and divisive’, says TUC
Responding to the Emergency Budget today (Tuesday) TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said:
“This Budget was economically dangerous and socially divisive. The one thing we can now say is that we are very definitely not all in this together. Those on middle and low incomes have done worse than expected, and the rich have been let off much of what they feared.
“But we will all suffer from an economy that is now likely to be sluggish at best and with a double-dip recession at worst.”
“This Budget was economically dangerous and socially divisive. The one thing we can now say is that we are very definitely not all in this together. Those on middle and low incomes have done worse than expected, and the rich have been let off much of what they feared.
“But we will all suffer from an economy that is now likely to be sluggish at best and with a double-dip recession at worst.”
Monday, 21 June 2010
Leicester to lose central library
Leicester is to lose its' central libraries with the loss of 14 equivalent full time jobs. See the full story at: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Stacks-potential-closure-overdue/article-2327156-detail/article.html
The Belvoir Street libray is to merge with the Reference Library on Bishop Street saving £228,000.
The Belvoir Street libray is to merge with the Reference Library on Bishop Street saving £228,000.
Unions ramp up campaigns against Academy plans
The Government is encouraging all schools judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted to become academies. Each school’s Governing Body will need to decide this month if it wishes to become an academy from this September. There is no requirement for the Governing Body to consult with parents before making this decision. This means that children could be attending an academy after the summer holidays, without any prior consultation with parents.
Once a school has become an academy, there is no way back.
Trade union members are committed to continuing to provide children with an outstanding education, but we have grave concerns about the proposed academy model. Academies were originally set up to improve the educational attainment of secondary school pupils in disadvantaged communities and under challenging circumstances. There is no evidence to suggest that converting an outstanding school into an academy will make any difference to pupils’ educational attainment, nor is there any evidence to suggest benefits for pupils in primary or special schools. In fact, we believe that the risks involved in academy status, in particular the loss of support from the local authority, far outweigh any of the suggested advantages of obtaining academy status.
We strongly believe that schools can only remain outstanding with the support and trust of its parents. Any
decisions affecting the future of children’s education in such a fundamental way must be taken jointly by parents, staff, governing bodies and the community. If you, as a parent, share our concerns, we urge you to contact your parent representative on the Governing Body immediately to make your voice heard.
The teaching unions have produced model letters and petitions for use in campaigning against the spreading of Academies and these are avialable here:
http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/11674
and here:
www.nasuwt.org.uk/ChampioningEducation/Academies
Once a school has become an academy, there is no way back.
Trade union members are committed to continuing to provide children with an outstanding education, but we have grave concerns about the proposed academy model. Academies were originally set up to improve the educational attainment of secondary school pupils in disadvantaged communities and under challenging circumstances. There is no evidence to suggest that converting an outstanding school into an academy will make any difference to pupils’ educational attainment, nor is there any evidence to suggest benefits for pupils in primary or special schools. In fact, we believe that the risks involved in academy status, in particular the loss of support from the local authority, far outweigh any of the suggested advantages of obtaining academy status.
We strongly believe that schools can only remain outstanding with the support and trust of its parents. Any
decisions affecting the future of children’s education in such a fundamental way must be taken jointly by parents, staff, governing bodies and the community. If you, as a parent, share our concerns, we urge you to contact your parent representative on the Governing Body immediately to make your voice heard.
The teaching unions have produced model letters and petitions for use in campaigning against the spreading of Academies and these are avialable here:
http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/11674
and here:
www.nasuwt.org.uk/ChampioningEducation/Academies
Friday, 18 June 2010
Victory for PCS in court over civil service redundancy pay
A High Court judge has dealt the final blow to the government’s unlawful cuts to civil service redundancy pay.
Mr Justice Sales confirmed today (18 June) the Public and Commercial Services union was right to challenge the way the terms of the civil service compensation scheme, which governs redundancy payments, were slashed.
The decision quashes an amendment to the scheme that the previous government had claimed was effective from 1 April, and requires the new government to enter into negotiations with PCS if it wants to change the scheme in future.
While the judge quashed the detrimental changes to the scheme, he retained elements - relating to protection against age discrimination - that provide improvements. The union says this shows it was not opposed to change on principle, but that any alterations had to be fair and agreed.
The union’s challenge, by way of a judicial review, was heard over two days in April and the judge ruled on 10 May that the previous government had acted unlawfully. Both sides were then given a few weeks to reach an agreement on the terms of an order to quash the amendment, but failed to do so, and the case went back to court for a final hearing on 9 June.
The union always maintained the changes to the compensation scheme would have made it easier and cheaper to cut tens of thousands of civil service jobs and privatise more of our public services.
PCS deputy general secretary Hugh Lanning said: “We are delighted with the ruling that proves our members were right to oppose the cuts that the previous government tried to force through.
“It’s rare for a High Court judge to side with a trade union, so we believe this vindicates our stance and our assertion all along that this was a grossly unfair attempt by the government to rip up the rights of its own workforce.
“The new government now has a golden opportunity to show it is truly committed to consultation and negotiation, by getting round the table with us to agree a new scheme that is fair and protects the rights of civil and public servants.”
Richard Arthur, head of trade union law at Thompsons Solicitors, who acted for PCS, said: “The ruling confirms that a government cannot simply change redundancy rights which have already accrued for civil servants without agreement by the unions.
“With the exception of some favourable age-related changes, all the benefits in the new scheme are quashed and all the benefits in the old one are protected. The new scheme that was imposed on civil servants was simply unlawful.”
The ruling comes days before the coalition government is expected to announce further cuts in public spending in its emergency budget next Tuesday (22 June).
PCS will hold events across the country on Tuesday, including outside the Treasury in Parliament Street in London between 12pm and 1pm, and will launch its Tax Justice and Jobs report that details how more than £120 billion is estimated to be lost to the economy every year through tax being evaded, avoided and uncollected.
Mr Justice Sales confirmed today (18 June) the Public and Commercial Services union was right to challenge the way the terms of the civil service compensation scheme, which governs redundancy payments, were slashed.
The decision quashes an amendment to the scheme that the previous government had claimed was effective from 1 April, and requires the new government to enter into negotiations with PCS if it wants to change the scheme in future.
While the judge quashed the detrimental changes to the scheme, he retained elements - relating to protection against age discrimination - that provide improvements. The union says this shows it was not opposed to change on principle, but that any alterations had to be fair and agreed.
The union’s challenge, by way of a judicial review, was heard over two days in April and the judge ruled on 10 May that the previous government had acted unlawfully. Both sides were then given a few weeks to reach an agreement on the terms of an order to quash the amendment, but failed to do so, and the case went back to court for a final hearing on 9 June.
The union always maintained the changes to the compensation scheme would have made it easier and cheaper to cut tens of thousands of civil service jobs and privatise more of our public services.
PCS deputy general secretary Hugh Lanning said: “We are delighted with the ruling that proves our members were right to oppose the cuts that the previous government tried to force through.
“It’s rare for a High Court judge to side with a trade union, so we believe this vindicates our stance and our assertion all along that this was a grossly unfair attempt by the government to rip up the rights of its own workforce.
“The new government now has a golden opportunity to show it is truly committed to consultation and negotiation, by getting round the table with us to agree a new scheme that is fair and protects the rights of civil and public servants.”
Richard Arthur, head of trade union law at Thompsons Solicitors, who acted for PCS, said: “The ruling confirms that a government cannot simply change redundancy rights which have already accrued for civil servants without agreement by the unions.
“With the exception of some favourable age-related changes, all the benefits in the new scheme are quashed and all the benefits in the old one are protected. The new scheme that was imposed on civil servants was simply unlawful.”
The ruling comes days before the coalition government is expected to announce further cuts in public spending in its emergency budget next Tuesday (22 June).
PCS will hold events across the country on Tuesday, including outside the Treasury in Parliament Street in London between 12pm and 1pm, and will launch its Tax Justice and Jobs report that details how more than £120 billion is estimated to be lost to the economy every year through tax being evaded, avoided and uncollected.
Corby council jobs risk
Corby Chief Executive Chris Mallender has warned that more jobs may be lost as aresult of budget cuts. See the full story at: http://www.northantset.co.uk/corby/Budget-cuts-risk-to-jobs.6326349.jp
Jobs have already been lost through natural wastage and he warns that this may not be possible in the future.
Jobs have already been lost through natural wastage and he warns that this may not be possible in the future.
TUC welcomes Government plans to tackle prejudice against LGBT people
Commenting on Government plans to tackle prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people announced today (Thursday) by the Minister for Women and Equalities Theresa May, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “The TUC warmly welcomes these wide-ranging plans to tackle discrimination against LGBT people in the UK. It is wrong that so many children and adults face harassment, intimidation, ridicule or violence simply because of their sexuality.
“We are pleased to see plans include stamping out homophobic bullying in schools, ending hate crimes against LGBT people and allowing same-sex couples to register their relationships in religious settings high up on the Government’s equality agenda.
“Britain should be a place where people are treated with respect regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, and unions stand ready to work with the Government on these measures in any way we can.”
“We are pleased to see plans include stamping out homophobic bullying in schools, ending hate crimes against LGBT people and allowing same-sex couples to register their relationships in religious settings high up on the Government’s equality agenda.
“Britain should be a place where people are treated with respect regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, and unions stand ready to work with the Government on these measures in any way we can.”
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