The lengthy lead in to Jeremy Hunt's 17th November Autumn Statement saw the 'difficult decisions' and 'tough choices' soundbites aired relentlessly across the media. In tandem with these 'tough but necessary decisions' warnings, was an eyebrow raising rebranding of the Tories as the Party of 'compassionate conservatism'. After all the hype, just how well does … Continue reading Who are the real winners and losers from Hunt’s ‘compassionate conservatism’?
Category: inequality
An Easter energy price shock looms for many
With the 'Energy Price Guarantee' (EPG) scheme now due to end on 31st March 2023, an energy price shock looms for many this coming Spring. Jeremy Hunt's Fiscal Statement on the 17th of October advised that a Treasury-led review will be launched to consider how to support households and their businesses with energy bills from … Continue reading An Easter energy price shock looms for many
Who will bear the burden of Sunak’s ‘difficult decisions’?
This blog sets out the budget policy changes that took place during and after the chaos of the Truss administration; it explores the current levels of social security in the UK and a comparison of these levels with other countries; it examines the extent of welfare cuts since 2010; considers some options which we are … Continue reading Who will bear the burden of Sunak’s ‘difficult decisions’?
The looming cost of living emergency
A very bleak winter looms for many across the UK, as the Tories become ever more detached from the lives of ordinary people. A combination of inflation reaching levels not seen since 1990 and stagnant wage increases, particularly among public sector workers, means that many people are being thrust into a catastrophic cost of living … Continue reading The looming cost of living emergency
Biggleswade station update – 15th July
This afternoon, representatives from Bedfordshire Rail Access Network (BRAN), Network Rail, GTR, Richard Fuller MP and Central Bedfordshire and Biggleswade Town Council officials met to discuss progress on step-free access at the station, as well as the transport interchange and proposed new toilet facilities. The good Since the previous meeting, another hurdle has been overcome … Continue reading Biggleswade station update – 15th July
Five years on from Grenfell
Five years on and still we are waiting for anyone to be held accountable. Why is it that the wheels of justice always turn so slowly, if at all, for the working class and people of colour? The Grenfell Inquiry has revealed how the pursuit of profit was prioritised over the safety of people, shamefully … Continue reading Five years on from Grenfell
Why we need more working-class voices in Parliament
The UK's political system has some obvious democratic failings, perhaps the most prominent being the 'first past the post' voting system, which has enabled our current Government to rule as an 'elective dictatorship' on a minority of votes cast. However, there is less obvious inequality of representation created by the lack of working-class voices in … Continue reading Why we need more working-class voices in Parliament
An open letter on the need for a Hillsborough Law
Below is an open letter sent to my North East Bedfordshire MP Richard Fuller, setting out why a Hillsborough Law is urgently needed and calling for his support for it. Dear Richard The tragedy of Hillsborough goes far beyond the horrific events that took place on 15th April 1989. The Liverpool supporters suffered a double … Continue reading An open letter on the need for a Hillsborough Law
Hillsborough – finally a catalyst for change?
The sheer scale of the tragedy of Hillsborough is difficult to comprehend, cutting across so many aspects of the relationship between the people and the state. It starkly set out how justice is not applied equally across our society and how agencies of the state persistently close rank and prioritise reputational protection over the safety … Continue reading Hillsborough – finally a catalyst for change?
When will Labour stand up for a step-free railway?
Blaming the Victorians for a large percentage of our rail network being inaccessible to a significant proportion of the UK public is wearing very thin after 150 years. While some progress has been made since 'Access for All' funding for step-free stations was introduced by Gordon Brown's Labour government in 2006, thousands of platforms across … Continue reading When will Labour stand up for a step-free railway?