Welfare and Society

The TUC believes in full employment and work for all those who want it, but those who cannot work should get decent benefits that lift them out of poverty. Here is research and policy on welfare and work issues. You can find older material by using the search facilities.

3.8 million children live in poverty in the UK today, thats one in three children - a shocking figure given the wealth of our nation.

The campaign to End Child Poverty includes children's and other charities, social justice groups, faith-groups, trade unions, businesses and many others concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK who are working together for change. Visit their website at http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/

The most recent documents available on this subject are:

Highest youth unemployment rate for 15 years, says TUC
Responding to the latest unemployment figures announced today (Wednesday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “Economists may argue about whether we are now out of recession and into recovery, but in the real world of Britain's workplaces people are still losing their jobs and finding it harder and harder to get new ones.
17 June 2009

TUC gives evidence on recession to inaugural meeting of the North West Regional Committee
TUC Chief Alan Manning is to give evidence to MPs about the recession in the region to the inaugural meeting of the North West Regional Committee
12 June 2009

The Welfare Reform Bill - TUC Social Policy Forum
Come to Congress House on 3 July to find out why so many trade union leaders and activists are opposing the Welfare Reform Bill. Topics for discussion will include how the Bill creates tougher benefit rules for lone parents and disabled people, the new 'Work for your Benefits' scheme for unemployed people and contracting-out Jobcentre Plus services to the private and voluntary sectors.
PDF version available for download
3 June 2009

Tackling unemployment must be Government's number one priority, says TUC
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber will say today (Saturday) that the Unite March for Jobs sends a powerful message to Government that tackling unemployment must be its number one priority.
16 May 2009

One in nine part-time workers cannot find full-time jobs
With figures out tomorrow expected to show unemployment on course to hit 2.5 million by the summer, a TUC analysis of official statistics published today (Tuesday) has found that one in nine (11.2 per cent) people in part-time work are only doing so because they cannot find full-time jobs.
12 May 2009

European Trade Union Leader sends May Day Greetings to North West workers
John Monks, the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation has sent the following message on May Day to trade unionists and their families in the North West:
1 May 2009

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