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Local lockdowns require local furlough schemes
The government needs to move swiftly to safeguard jobs in areas facing stricter local lockdowns.
The Equality Act - more needs to be done
The Equality Act can protect people's livelihoods and their health. We must work to ensure it is properly implemented, improved and enforced.
Black History Month: Let’s choose joy
I think we can all agree that 2020 has been quite a year. The Covid crisis has shown us more clearly than ever that, even if we're all in the same sea, some of us are in very different boats. And some of us are floating in the water just trying our best not to go under.
To tackle unemployment, we urgently need a ‘right to retrain’
Adult skills spending has fallen off a cliff during the last decade. We need an expansive retraining programme that will support unemployed people to get the skills they need to return to employment.
The new job scheme is important – but ministers will need to do far more
The short-time working scheme announced by Rishi Sunak is an important step. But let’s be clear: it’s just one piece in the jigsaw of support we need.
Learning Welsh at work: proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks
All my adult life I’ve made excuses about why I didn’t speak Welsh like “I didn’t learn it in school” or “my family didn’t speak Welsh”. I was embarrassed every time I was asked. But the truth was the real reason I didn’t speak Welsh was that I had never bothered to learn.
Short-time working scheme - a win for unions
Workers at firms hard hit by the coronavirus lockdown are to continue to get wage subsidies, after the government bowed to pressure from trade unions and others.
Employment tribunals need resources, not a sticking plaster
The government has announced a mixed bag of reforms to the creaking tribunal system, but only significant investment will ensure working people receive timely access to justice.
An unemployment crisis is coming. The government must act now to prevent it
With a big drop in employment since the start of the pandemic, the government must do more to avert an unemployment crisis later this year.
The government must give key workers a pay rise and tackle insecure work
Through the minimum wage and public sector pay awards the government controls the pay of more than six million key workers. They must give them a pay rise.
A public sector jobs drive can stop mass unemployment and power an economic recovery
Creating public sector jobs could pave the way to economic recovery and prevent mass unemployment.
GDP rebound continues but very mixed story by industry
GDP shows the economy continuing to come back as the lockdown was eased, but many industries still with massive ground to make up, and danger ahead as the furlough scheme ends.
Why we need an increase in statutory sick pay
Current rates of statutory sick pay leave many workers facing an impossible choice between going to work ill or falling into debt. This needs to change.
Social care is not fit for purpose – here’s how to fix it
TUC analysis shows that the social care system is not working. Here's how we can transform it.
Trade unions – bringing people together
I’ve written previously about the impact of coronavirus on the BME community, anti-Semitism, and anti-Chinese racism. This week I’m looking at something a lot more positive – the role of trade unions in tackling the far-right.
We need a new plan to build on the Job Retention Scheme
Unions helped pave the way for the Job Retention Scheme. Now a new scheme is needed to help upskill workers and protect jobs.
I am not a virus – anti-Chinese racism and coronavirus
The far-right are always seeking to normalise racist attitudes and behaviours. Legitimate criticism of the actions of the Chinese state have been hijacked. Chinese visitors and students, as well as UK citizens of Chinese or South-East Asian heritage, have been personally blamed for the pandemic.
£13 a day isn’t enough - isolating workers need proper sick pay
The government's proposed payouts for low-paid workers forced to self-isolate don't go far enough.
An old libel – coronavirus & anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitic tropes, dating back to the Middle Ages, are being used by the far-right in the coronavirus age.
Protecting jobs and investing in our future - the best way to give people hope
With the UK now in recession, decisive action is needed to protect jobs and aid recovery.
Hatred in the age of coronavirus
Coronavirus is, in many ways, showing the best of British. But alongside this humanity, we’ve seen a rise in hatred. Far-right extremists have tried to take advantage of coronavirus to spread division. They’re undermining our communities, our trade unions and our hard fought for rights.
Today’s GDP figures show the steepest economic decline on record
With the UK now officially in recession, the government must act now to save jobs and stop an unemployment crisis.
Unemployment is rising. We need an urgent plan to tackle it
Recent unemployment figures show widespread job losses. The government needs to act now to safeguard livelihoods and prevent mass unemployment.
With 3.6 million in insecure work, we have an opportunity for change
TUC research has revealed that millions of people are stuck in insecure work. Improving job quality will lead to better outcomes for all.
Coronavirus - a turning point for cycling to work?
Wales is becoming a safer place to cycle. Local authorities have new funding to set up networks of segregated ‘pop-up’ cycleways and more people are getting out and about on their bikes.
Will this lead to a long-term change in the way we travel to work? And what can unions do to get employers to provide support and facilities for those who want to cycle?
All carers need a right to paid leave
Millions more people are struggling to balance paid work and caring responsibilities during the pandemic. Paid leave and flexible working could help prevent people sliding into hardship.
Local lockdowns reveal the need to protect workers’ wages
With local lockdowns now in place across much of Northern England, more is needed to protect workers who are forced to self-isolate.
Our social security net is failing during the Covid-19 crisis
10 years of cuts have hammered our social security system. The pandemic has shown that it needs a major rehaul.
It’s getting hot in here - getting organised for safer, cooler working conditions
Hotter temperatures are becoming more and more common in the UK. Workplaces need to adjust to make sure workers are protected.
Support not sanctions needed to help people back into work
With unemployment on the rise, we need a stronger social safety net, not more punishment for jobseekers.
