New blow to Conservatives’ economic credibility
Claims made by the Conservative party at their conference last week about the rate of unemployment have been undermined by new research from the Trades Union Congress.
Trade Unions
Stench of Leeds bin strike may spread
Industrial action by bin men and women in Leeds has become national news, with the Financial Times reporting that councils across the country are watching closely with fears growing that other public sector workers will become disgruntled by the prospect of pay cuts, and changes to working patterns and conditions.
Bin strike in Leeds as council vows to slash wages by £6k
The leader of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat run Leeds City council, Cllr Richard Brett, has received threats and had bags of rubbish dumped in front of his house as the indefinite strike action by the city’s bin men and women, and street cleaners approached its second week.
LFF brief: universal benefits
Analysis of the current debate on universal benefits.
Top earners cost taxpayers £22bn in pension tax relief
Tax relief on pensions costs more than £36 billion pounds a year according to TUC analysis of Treasury figures. This is heavily skewed towards the well-off – not simply because they pay more into a pension but because the relieftest
Workplace representatives save the taxpayer money
The Times report today that, “Labour is funding trade union activity inside Whitehall with millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.” The truth, as ever, is more complicated. The practice has been in place for years and benefits from workplace representation across the public sector are estimated at £167 to £397 million.
Campaign launched for High Pay Commission as executive pay continues to increase
A coalition of over 100 individuals organised by Compass have joined a campaign calling for the establishment of a High Pay Commission. Data compiled by Left Foot Forward show that CEO remuneration packages are now 168 times the median wage.