‘Olympic missile’ plan was handled in a “cack-handed way” says MP

Tory MEPs have opposed LGBTI and Women’s rights (again)

By Michael Cashman MEP and Mary Honeyball MEP Tory MEPs showed their nasty side again today – their anti-women, anti-choice, anti-LGBT side David Cameron tries so hard to shield from public view. The Tories sided with UKIP to oppose a range of progressive measures on sexual and reproductive rights, health services and education, and the combating of sexual orientation and gender discrimination. They voted for moves to water down calls for national governments to provide adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health […]

2.5 million people in Britain will be forced into debt just to keep their homes warm over Christmas

By Caroline Flint

No Christmas is ever stress free. There are cards to write, presents to buy, decorations to put up, and a lot more besides. But once the gifts have been opened, the turkey’s been carved and the Christmas Downton Abbey’s started, there’s normally a point on Christmas day in the Flint household when we can unwind, enjoy spending time with family, and switch off from life’s day-to-day worries – at least until the board games come out. But for millions of […]

Rachel Reeves slams IDS’s denial on Universal Credit. So IDS denies being in denial…

In the chamber this afternoon, Rachel Reeves has taken IDS apart over the failure of Universal Credit. Granted an Urgent Question, Reeves asked the following: Mr Speaker, on 5 September, the Secretary of State told the House “We will deliver this in time and in budget”.  On 14 October, he said “Universal credit will roll out very well and it will be on time and within budget”.  And just last month on 18 November, he said “universal credit will roll […]

How the government buried bad news on access to transport for disabled people

By Mary Creagh

The day after the Autumn Statement can be an opportunity to bury bad news. The Government’s response to the Transport Select Committee’s report on access to transport for disabled people, which was published on Friday, is just that – bad news for the 11.5 million people in the UK who live with a disability. Over a fifth of disabled people report that they currently have difficulties in accessing public transport.  I had to ask a parliamentary question to find out that only 452 train stations – […]

Raising the benchmark

By Dave Prentis

A new report by New Economics Foundation for Unison is a stark reminder, if one were needed, that public sector pay will be central to the debate about the cost of living crisis over the coming months.  As such, what the two Eds say next on this issue, as well how the coalition respond to growing discontent at the pay cap, will be crucial in making up the minds of about 5.7 million people who work in public services about which […]