Labour HQ investigating “political blackmail” over Falkirk selection – Media roundup: June 24th, 2013

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Labour HQ investigating “political blackmail” over Falkirk selection

Labour are investigating claims of “political blackmail” after a senior party official was accused of pressuring a prospective candidate to stand down in favour of a pro-union rival. The unnamed aide threatened to withdraw lucrative contracts from Blue State Digital unless Gregor Poynton, the communications company’s political director, withdrew from the race to become Labour’s candidate in Falkirk, according to media reports. Another Labour supporter allegedly ordered party officials to approve last-minute block membership applications in order to help Kate Murphy, who was backed by the Unite union. The party is selecting a new candidate after Eric Joyce was forced to resign the whip in the wake of a Commons fracas. Labour suspended the troubled search for his successor last month over allegations that a senior Unite figure had recruited members in an effort to win the seat for its preferred candidate. – The Times(£)

Higher benefits for older people? Byrne fleshes out “contributory principle”

Liam Byrne, the shadow work and pensions secretary, is unveiling the latest development of Labour’s plans for a contributory principle in welfare, where benefits payments vary according to a claimants’ history of work. Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Byrne identified older people as deserving of more help and support from the State when they find themselves out of work. Many older workers who lose their jobs feel angry and consigned to a “silver scrapheap” of long-term unemployment, he wrote. Unemployment among people over 50 has risen, even as overall employment levels have stayed steady. Once on older worker loses a job, they tend to take longer to find a new one. Labour calculations suggest that nearly half of all unemployed people in their 50s have been unemployed for longer than a year and the over 50s spend longer on the dole than any other age group, claiming for an average of 32 weeks. – Telegraph

Other highlights

• Is George Osborne finally waking up to the need for investment? –Guardian
• Boris dabbles in a bit of Climte Change scepticism – Boris Johnson, Daily Telegraph
• Doctiors call for NHS “Top-up Fees” – The Times(£)
• Cameron criticised over (another) vanity photographer – Guardian
• Build homes. Give hope to the next generation – Tim Montgomerie, The Times(£)
• Labour call on probation assessment – Express