A defence of the Future Jobs Fund: Where now for the young employed?
Dan Smith highlights the impacts of the Future Jobs Fund in Brighton and Hove, arguing it has proved cost effective, helping long-term claimants off benefits.
Guest
Cameron’s well-being index could help transform lives for the better
There are signs of hope in the wake of Mr Cameron’s speech that, with sufficient attention from the top and a genuine national debate, the national well-being index could be a crucially important tool in the progressive effort to transform lives for the better.
Harman’s first international development speech outlines six key priorities
This morning, shadow international development secretary Harriet Harman gave a speech at ActionAid headquarters in London. Marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Ms Harman outlined six priorities for the future of international development.
What would happen if Spain follows Ireland over the edge?
On Monday the big news of the day was the Ireland bailout. Yesterday, the follow-on story was Portugal’s general strike which could push the country over the edge. But the nagging doubt in everyone’s minds in the European power-centres today will be neither: it will be the much worse possibility, remote or otherwise, that Spain might follow: Spanish euro spreads reached a record 260 basis points yesterday, making it is very expensive for Spain to borrow.
Big business oppose cuts – to greenhouse gas emissions
Big business is supportive of many of the public service spending cuts. But UK companies, and the business associations that represent them, are lobbying hard to delay cuts in another area where they could make a positive difference: greenhouse gas emissions. Europe-based companies, including BP and Eon, have been systematically supporting members of the Senate who obstruct action on climate change and these links were revealed in a recent report by Climate Action Network Europe.
It’s the press who are the dinosaurs, not us, say unions
A survey has shown that 92 per cent of trade union members believe the British media is too cynical against them, writes Unions21 director Dan Whittle.
Immigration was a factor, but it did not cost Labour the election
As the government announces its new immigration cap today, some in Labour may be tempted to re-visit the thesis that a tougher policy on immigration could have saved the party from electoral defeat in 2010. The idea that immigration played a critical and negative role for Labour in the general election is now well established; the evidence, however, simply does not support such a position.
Taking the axe to social housing
The government’s consultation “A fairer future for social housing” says that “social housing – affordable and stable – should act as a springboard to help individuals make a better life for themselves”. Yet the result of this announcement will do the exact opposite – it will ensnare individuals in poverty, create ghettos of deprivation, and prevent future generations getting access to proper affordable housing.
Scrapping School Sport Partnerships – ideology or idiocy?
Of the many billions of pounds that the government have cut in their ideological zeal to shrink the state, few have met with the passion and unified outrage that have greeted the £162 million abolition of the School Sport Partnership grant.
Barnardo’s: The age of criminal responsibility should be raised
The criminal justice system is not effective at dealing with children and young people. Evidence shows that about half of the 10 and 11 year olds sentenced in court in 2008 will have re-offended within a year – and their experience within the criminal justice system actually increases the likelihood that they will go on to commit further crimes.