Inequality – not just bad, it’s bad economics too
Some regular readers of this blog may be tempted to respond to the following “revelation” with a cry of “No shit, Sherlock!” But the evidence base is growing. And it…
An EU Perspective On Wage Inequality
In the years before the financial crisis of 2008, there was a significant reduction of overall EU wage inequality, driven by economic convergence between rich and poor Member States. The…
Looking ahead to the Autumn Statement
Tomorrow’s Autumn Statement will undoubtedly celebrate recent growth in GDP. The Office of Budget Responsibility will likely raise growth predictions. But the economy is still smaller than prior to the…
The latest cuts to legal aid are a further assault on access to justice
Criminal Lawyers across England and Wales are taking part in industrial action. It began with solicitors on 1st July and continues to grow; once barristers join the action in numbers…
Building back better? Not for the working class
This article was originally published in The Big Issue on October 12th 2021. Last week, in a speech branded “economically illiterate”, Boris Johnson insisted that the UK was transitioning towards…
Why we are striking
Thursday 10 July will be a magnificent display of trade union solidarity, as almost 1.5 million public sector workers take action simultaneously. Whether it’s local government or civil service pay,…
The Social Cleansing of BAME and Migrant Communities
Having been widely debated since the 1960s, the issue of gentrification in the UK is not a new phenomenon. Defined by sociologist Ruth Glass in 1964 as the process whereby…
What can we expect from Budget 2021?
George Osborne’s Budget speech will attempt to take credit for the return to growth in the economy. Instead he should apologise for the disaster his austerity policies have brought on…
Benefit advisers in foodbanks: a backwards step
Photo: http://www.sufra-nwlondon.org.uk/ Many people involved in the world of foodbanks will know the baby-saving parable used by American sociologist Janet Poppendieck in her 1998 book ‘Sweet charity: emergency food and…
Royal Mail – privatising public assets has largely been a mistake across the world
This blog was originally published on Labour List on 8 June and is re-posted here with permission. Last week, George Osborne decided to sell off the remaining 30% of Royal…
First 100 Days – Investing in a Future for Young People
Investing in a Future for Young People Beccie Ions Beccie Ions is a workplace rep for GMB and also represents Yorkshire & Derbyshire on GMB youth committee. It’s no secret…