Labour’s Debbie Abrahams calls for pause to fix Universal Credit before Christmas

Today the Trussell Trust released figures which confirm the grim reality of Christmas for so many families in Britain. They expect this to be the busiest Christmas to date for their foodbank network. They have called on us all to help those facing hunger at Christmas. “New data released today reveals that during December 2016, …

Leeds Labour Council’s innovative White Rose Energy scheme offers fairer, transparent tariffs

Energy prices are something which concern most of us. Which is why Leeds Labour Council’s innovative White Rose Energy – which launched this week – is such an exciting development. It offers all households across the Yorkshire region the opportunity to sign up to fairer, more transparent energy tariffs. Leeds City Council has teamed up …

Leeds Council Leader, Judith Blake’s warning on Brexit: “It is our communities which would be hardest hit”

Yesterday Leeds' Judith Blake joined over 60 other Labour Council leaders to warn that Brexit would cause “a further funding black hole” in their budgets, which are already strained after six years of cuts to local government by the Tories.'It is our communities which would be hardest hit", they warned - “the disastrous economic effects …

Tinkering with child poverty won’t help end it

As new child poverty figures are published amid increasing Tory pressure to change the way we measure it, we publish here a piece by Jonathan Bradshaw, which he wrote for The Conversation. Jonathan Bradshaw, University of York There has been no real change in the proportion of children living in poverty in the past year, …

An Agenda for change and hope – Labour’s first Queen’s Speech revealed

Labour is ready to hit the ground running after May 7. Ed Milband has revealed the 10 bills which would make up Labour’s first Queen’s Speech. These are bills which Labour has ready to go. They’re a combination of key election pledges and promises – a serious programme for government, both short and longer-term. They …

Labour’s plan for Older People: Triple lock on pensions, end to 15-min care visits, support for active life, a voice at heart of government

Labour has launched its manifesto for Older people. Its main provisions will • Triple lock pensions so that they rise by earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent, whichever is the highest. • Implement a tough cap on fees and charges in the private pensions market. • Restrict winter fuel payments for the richest five per …

40 reasons to vote Labour, 40 ways to change Britain on May 7

As May 7 approaches - here are 40 reasons to vote Labour then. 1. £2.5bn Time to Care fund for the NHS
 2. 20,000 more nurses 
3. 8,000 more doctors 
4. Smaller class sizes 
5. Paid starter jobs for unemployed young people 
6. 10p starting rate of tax 
7. Freeze gas and electricity bills
 8. …

So just what did the IFS report say about incomes – everyone under 60 has lost out.

The BBC headline yesterday morning was – ‘average incomes back to pre-crisis levels says IFS [Institute of Fiscal Studies]‘ We were interested – interested enough to go back and look at the report of the IFS for ourselves. Below is the Report’s OWN summary briefing. We have added emphasis – and, unlike BBC reporting, you …

Average weekly wages in Yorkshire and Humber are lowest in England – TUC Fairpay fortnight highlights ever-growing inequalities

Today is the first day of Fairpay fortnight – in which the TUC will be trying to raise awareness of Britain’s growing cost of living crisis. Last week saw the Tories’ Black and White Ball – where hedge fund managers, pornographers and a lapdance club owner paid huge sums to the Tory election campaign. Last …

Alex Sobel: The Coalition has produced a crisis in childcare. I welcome Labour’s plans to double Sure Start places

In Coalition Britain – don’t be a family with children • As a result of the Government’s tax and benefits policies since May 2010, households are on average £1,127 worse off. But families with children have seen their incomes fall twice as far as the average. Working lone parents are £1,600 worse off a year …