Andy Burnham’s big task of bringing down the benefits bill is about much more than money, says MARY HULL. It’s about the kind of society we want to be. ‘The task of reforming benefits is vast, long term, complex, but also essential. It goes to the heart of what we want to be as a...
Labour in Government: The Welfare Revolt
After a week of parliamentary rebellion and government chaos, ERNIE JACQUES assesses the outcome and impact of Labour’s ‘crazy’ welfare proposals....
Universal Credit: Fighting the Cut
Unite Community has been at the heart of campaigns against Tory cuts to Universal Credit. HEATHER BLAKEY and GERRY LAVERY report on the ongoing battle for a new ‘common sense’....
‘Common Sense’ and Benefit Sanctions
In an extensive discussion paper, Unite Community member GERRY LAVERY considers how Antonio Gramsci’s ideas could help challenge popular attitudes towards benefit claimants and the fight to end government sanctions. Here, he provides a brief introduction....
‘An Idea Whose Time Has Come’
A universal basic income could be one of the big progressive policies at the next election according to campaign group Compass which has published a report on the issue, saying it’s “an idea whose time has come”....
Poverty Knocks
ERNIE JACQUES looks at the implications of a recent appeal court ruling on the case of two jobseekers denied benefits for refusing unpaid work....