Rail takeover shows extent of privatisation failure
2 February 2016
The decision that Transport for London will take over all overland rail services into London is a recognition that privatisation has been a miserable and costly failure.
News/Views
Supermarket wars: betting on a falling market
2 February 2016
In a classic case of dog-eat-dog capitalism, supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has made a £1.3 billion takeover bid for Home Retail Group, which owns Homebase and high-street retailers Argos.
Better ways of preparing the next generation of nurses
2 February 2016
The only good thing to have arisen from chancellor George Osborne’s plan to institutionalise debt for student nurses and other health students is a debate about what is wrong with the current system.
Hospital in deficit? Just work for free...
22 January 2016
With the Princess Royal University Hospital in Kent running a huge deficit, its ruling Trust has asked staff to volunteer to work for nothing
Unions mull local government pay offer
21 January 2016
Unison, Unite and GMB are now consulting their members over the Local Government Association’s two-year pay offer of 1 per cent a year. Once again, rhetoric is outpacing reality.
Government cuts trade union education
15 January 2016
By August 2016 government funding for trade union education via the TUC will be slashed by half. By August 2017 all the funding will probably have gone. It is time for unions to grasp the nettle.
Please, Cuba, may we have our missile back?
14 January 2016
The US has a trade embargo on Cuba. But it’s just shipped an advanced laser-guided missile to Havana airport.
Social care: a US fund is looking to profit from distress
13 January 2016
Between 2005 and 2015 the number of people aged over 65 increased by 18.8 per cent. In response, the government has cut the social care budget by an estimated £470 million.
Valentine's stunt put up against Trade Union Bill
13 January 2016
The Trade Union Bill passed its second reading in the Lords on 11 January. In the face of a seemingly inexorable journey towards the Bill becoming an Act, the TUC’s response is a tepid Valentine’s stunt.
Fresh attack on local government pensions
13 January 2016
The Centre for Policy Studies, regarded by the late Margaret Thatcher as her favourite think tank, has produced the blueprint for the next government attack on the Local Government Pension Scheme.
'Studio' schools to close in Free Schools fiasco
12 January 2016
The Midland Academies Trust has announced the closure of two of its “studio” schools, in Nuneaton and Hinckley, because of a failure to attract students.
Doctors on the picket lines
12 January 2016
As junior doctors embarked on their first day of strike action against the government’s proposed new contract, CPBML News visited picket lines in London and Yorkshire.