Conservative party/opposition watch

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 14 Jun 2015, 09:50

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... e-to-share

Theresa May keeps snooper’s charter secret

Home secretary under fire for ‘extraordinary’ refusal to share surveillance plans amid fears government will steamroller law through parliament.

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 15 Jun 2015, 08:06

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... arch-shows

The government’s reported package of welfare cuts in next month’s budget, including a £5bn cut to child tax credit, would overwhelmingly hit the poorest third of families in the UK, new research shows.

The research, by the Resolution Foundation think tank that specialises in living standards, puts a question mark over the political feasibility of the government pressing ahead with £12bn in welfare cuts on its 2017-18 planned timetable.

A blindingly obvious conclusion.

Did they really have to carry out research to figure out that the poor and disadvantaged would bear the brunt of these latest welfare cuts?

I could do that - gissa job!

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 15 Jun 2015, 12:15

At a time of record profits, record remuneration for management, record inequality, the Conservatives get put back in charge of the economy...

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 17 Jun 2015, 12:37

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 25231.html

Downing Street accused of deliberate attempt to avoid freedom of information requests as ex-staff reveal 'dysfunctional' automated deletion system

Emails sent from Downing Street are automatically deleted within three months, it has emerged, with former officials describing the system as “dysfunctional”.

Transparency campaigners have claimed the system is in place to avoid information being released to the public through freedom of information requests.

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 02 Jul 2015, 07:23

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33347511

Sickness benefit shake-up considered

Plans to scrap part of the UK's main sickness benefit are being considered, a leaked Whitehall paper suggests.

It describes the Employment and Support Allowance as a "passive" benefit which does not "incentivise" people to find a job, and proposes abolishing the work-related activity group (WRAG) category.

If scrapped, weekly payments would drop nearly £30 from £102.15, bringing it in line with Jobseeker's Allowance.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it did not comment on leaks.

Yet another attack on those disadvantaged members of our society who are incapable of defending themselves.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 02 Jul 2015, 09:59

3rdRock wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33347511

Sickness benefit shake-up considered

Plans to scrap part of the UK's main sickness benefit are being considered, a leaked Whitehall paper suggests.

It describes the Employment and Support Allowance as a "passive" benefit which does not "incentivise" people to find a job, and proposes abolishing the work-related activity group (WRAG) category.

If scrapped, weekly payments would drop nearly £30 from £102.15, bringing it in line with Jobseeker's Allowance.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it did not comment on leaks.
Yet another attack on those disadvantaged members of our society who are incapable of defending themselves.

You have nearly five years of this.

johnhemming2 · Post by **johnhemming2** » 02 Jul 2015, 10:40

You will see that there is a change as a result of moving from a coalition to a conservative government not least in there being more welfare cuts.

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 06 Jul 2015, 20:36

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... ie-mp-says

Terminally ill benefit claimants asked when they expect to die

Frank Field writes to work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, over claims of ‘intrusive and painful questioning’ by assessors.

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 07 Jul 2015, 07:50

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33421315

Budget to propose longer Sunday trading hours

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33409992

Tax windfall from pension changes

It seems the Tories are now prepared to do anything for short term gain, regardless of the longer term implications.

madibe · Post by **madibe** » 08 Jul 2015, 21:36

Can't believe I'm first to comment on the budget....

£30 benefit reduction for the disabled not in work. The rest stinks terribly of Cod too.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 08 Jul 2015, 22:02

Not quite first - it has its own discussion:
http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/forum/vie ... hp?t=25670

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 13 Jul 2015, 21:29

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... n-sick-pay

David Cameron open to idea of workers saving up to fund own sick pay

PM’s spokeswoman says he is prepared to consider making people pay into savings accounts to cover periods of illness or unemployment.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 13 Jul 2015, 22:37

I've already done that and my account is fully paid up. It's called National Insurance. It's a scheme run by the government so it must be good.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 14 Jul 2015, 16:27

Good to see I've been away for a few days and your wonderful government is still hard at work dismantling justice and democracy. How long more does Cameron have?

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 15 Jul 2015, 05:41

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... kes-labour

Tories launch biggest crackdown on trade unions for 30 years

Business secretary Sajid Javid to criminalise unlawful picketing, and make it harder for workers to strike legally and for Labour to get union funding.