By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Generous tax breaks have helped create a “shadow” welfare state for the 20 per cent wealthiest in the UK, research has revealed. The Fabian Society believe these high earners will take almost the same as the worst off fifth take in benefits. The Fabians’ general ...
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Nicky Morgan was the first Tory Education Secretary to address the NASUWT since 1997, but it all went wrong, which seems to be the way things go for Morgan at the moment. She was viciously heckled by teachers angry at the Conservative plans for academy ...
West Virginia is the latest US state to introduce drug testing for welfare claimants. As one lawmaker put it, no-one living off his tax dollars should be 'laying around on welfare and drugs'. Florida recently required all welfare claimants to submit to drug testing, though the courts later ruled the ...
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Stephen Crabb the newly appointed Work and Pensions Secretary, following Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation, has been crticised for links to a gay cure group. Back in 2012 it was reported by Pink News that he employed interns via a religious fundamentalist group, who held these ...
By David Binder George Osborne was described on Wednesday as the man who wants to have it all. He’s a man for all seasons, someone who on the one hand can introduce policies with widescale ‘man on the street’ appeal, yet on the other be on the side of big ...
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor I write a regular PMQ sketch for the London Economic, but this week I didn’t get around to it - dog ate my home work time - I was on an underpowered train back from the Northern Powerhouse of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and only caught the end ...
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Jeremy Corbyn isn't impressed with Iain Duncan Smith's moral awakening over welfare cuts. The Labour leader said: "Where's his conscience been hiding for 6 years?". Mr Duncan Smith resigned saying the cuts: "are not defensible within a Budget that benefits higher-earning taxpayers". But rivals have ...
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The House of Lords was not able to halt a £30-a-week cut to disability benefits forced through by the Government. Charities warned the cut to (ESA) Employment & Support Allowance would make it more difficult for disabled people to find work and many already struggle to ...
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The number of UK workers on zero-hour contracts is now at 801,000 up 104,000 in only a year. The Labour party tried to outlaw these types of employment deals, but instead they have increased sharply. It could be seen as a blow to job recovery, ...