This book from a professor of international political economy recounts the intellectual and practical history of austerity and judges it a dangerous disaster. The author shows that austerity does not work as advertised. It does not reduce debt and does not promote growth; instead budgets are cut, economies shrink.
24 December 2014
The nearly £6 billion announced by the government for maintaining local roads over six years is less than half the money needed to deal with the backlog, says the GMB.
22 December 2014
Unite electricians based at Amey Council Work depot Olive Grove Sheffield have settled their dispute, winning a 3.7 per cent pay rise, reports Sheffield Trades Council.
18 December 2014
The Miami 5 have returned to Cuba in a huge victory for Cuban workers and their allies around the world. They had been imprisoned for fighting US-sponsored terrorism against Cuba.
18 December 2014
Warehouse staff working for clothing firm Barbour in Wardsley, Gateshead, have gone on strike over proposed changes to working hours.
Despite the defeat of the separatists in the Scottish referendum, huge new powers are to be devolved to Edinburgh – with consequent implications for the rest of Britain.
In his Autum Statement George Osborne continued the attack on British workers under the banner of reducing the deficit. His Westminster rivals said little more than “me too” or “it won’t be as bad if you elect me”.
Workers at ITV will start the new year with a strike ballot over pay. Three unions – broadcasting and entertainment union BECTU, the National Union of Journalists and Unite – have all rejected a pay offer of 2 per cent.
London’s bus drivers are balloting on industrial action to force through one agreement covering all bus companies in the capital.
14 December 2014
The Greater London Authority’s recent update on poverty in London makes stark reading. Despite being the play bauble of the world’s rich, London remains one of the most deprived areas in Britain.
14 December 2014
Questioned in an online survey, MPs said that the state pension age would need to rise to 70 within 30 years – with many believing that the state pension would disappear altogether.
14 December 2014
A planned strike at the Doncaster plant of Wabtec, where rail engineering staff were set to strike for five days from 15 to 19 December in a fight over pay and conditions, has been suspended following eleventh-hour talks with the employer.
