PCS news digest 29 June

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29 June 2012

This weekly news digest is a summary of news, campaign articles, media releases and reports from the past week

29 June

Historic vote to strengthen political campaigning

Our campaigning against cuts and for the alternative to austerity has received a boost with an historic vote in favour of supporting candidates in national elections.

Cabinet minister agrees to impromptu meeting

PCS officials in the north west raised concerns about jobcentre staff moves and arbitrary targets in call centres at an impromptu meeting with work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith.

Bank scandal hghlights need for ethical saving says PCS - Union News

As we roll out our own creditThe latest scandal to engulf banks highlights the need for ethical saving, says the as it rolls out its own credit union.

28 June

Facts and myths about those on benefits -Mark Serworka letter to Guardian

PCS general secretary calling for parliamentary opposition to welfare cuts

Hundreds more tax jobs threatended in Flyde DWP closure

The DWP has announced it intends to close Norcross centre, one of its major offices in the north west, with the possible loss of hundreds of jobs and the displacement of hundreds more to other sites.

27 June

Scottish and Welsh workers told: “Move to England or you’re fired” - Union News

Equality and Human Rights Commission Workers who advise vulnerable and disabled people about their rights face being forced out of their jobs by a decision to privatise their work and move it hundreds of miles across the country.

Another Budget U-turn as Osborne bows to pressure and scraps the 3p rise in fuel duty - Independent

The planned rise in fuel duty will be frozen until early next year.

26 June

Workfare scheme 'blatantly illegal'- Morning Star

The workfare scheme that forced an unpaid Birmingham woman to stock shelves at Poundland for six weeks is "blatantly unlawful," London's High Court heard today.

Unite union amasses £25m strike fund - BBC News

UK's largest union sets up fighting fund for strike pay and campaign leaflets to fight further government spending cuts

PFI blamed for failing hospital trust - Channel 4

South London Healthcare NHS trust is being put into special measures by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley amid mounting debts and losses of £1m per week.

25 June

HMRC workers strike over job cuts - Independent

Tax offices were closed today and calls to telephone inquiry lines were met with a recorded announcement because of a strike by tens of thousands of Revenue and Customs (HMRC) workers.

Campaigning against Olympic missiles

Campaigners are demanding Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans to situate high velocity missiles on housing estates and in communities in East London are scrapped.

PM unveils sweeping welfare reforms - The Guardian

Housing benefit ban for under 25s and welfare linked to wages among plans as PM signals new focus beyond Tory-Lib Dem coalition reports Patrick Wintour

Public and Commercial Services Union