PCS news digest 11 May

You are:

»
News and events »
PCS Comment

11 May 2012

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

11 May

Striking unions vow to battle on against pensions shake-up – Belfast Telegraph

Unions have declared their strike action against the government’s pension plans a “success” and vowed to continue the battle, reported the Belfast Telegraph.

Worst civil servants to be sacked – Daily Telegraph

Sweeping plans to overhaul the civil service are expected to be published within the next month, reported the Daily Telegraph.

10 May

UK public sector workers stage mass strike over pension reform – Wall Street Journal

Tens of thousands of UK public sector workers, including immigration officers at London's crisis-hit Heathrow Airport went on strike on Thursday in their latest protest against the government's spending cuts and pension reforms, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Hurting but not working: David Cameron has to heed austerity backlash – Daily Mirror

Europe is hurting but not working, and the coalition here ignores this groundswell of anger at its peril, reported the Daily Mirror.

Widespread support for Scottish public sector strike – Edinburgh Evening News

There is widespread support for public sector workers who have gone on strike in a row over pensions, union leaders said, reported the Edinburgh Evening News.

Rising inequality and the spectre of a forgotten Britain – Guardian Comment Is Free

Support for vulnerable people looks likely to be eroded over the next decade, without the nation appearing to care, says Stephen Bubb chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations on the Guardian website.

Housing crisis causes surge in sheds with beds – Independent

A shortage of homes is forcing desperate tenants to live in illegally-built cramped structures, reported the Independent.

9 May

Manifesto of an arrogant elite – Morning Star

Prime minister David Cameron and his tame deputy Nick Clegg unveiled a raft of thoroughly nasty measures, reported the Morning Star.

Queen’s Speech 2012. Children born today will work to 80 under pension reforms – Daily Telegraph

A planned increase in the retirement age to 67 will be brought forward to between 2026 and 2028, after which it will be linked to longevity for future retirees. Children born today may not be able to retire until they are 80.

8 May

Landlords ‘evicting tenants’ to make Olympic profit – BBC

Tenants in east London are being evicted from their homes as landlords attempt to cash in on the Olympics, BBC News has learned.

Chaos expected as 30,000 public-sector staff strike – Herald

Thousands of public-sector workers in Scotland were expected to go on strike on Thursday causing disruption at Scottish and UK government departments including jobcentres and courts, reported the Herald.

80% uneasy at pension plan as public sector strikes loom – Metro

Metro reported that nearly 80% think it is ‘unfair’ we could be forced to work longer for our state pension than anyone else in Europe, according to a poll.

7 May

Britain Beware – ITV

ITV marked the closure of the Central Office of Information with an affectionate look at the public information films it has produced over the last 66 years.

400,000 set for pensions protest – Independent

A fresh wave of industrial action will be held this week against the government's controversial public sector pension reforms, with union leaders predicting that up to 400,000 workers could be involved, reported the Independent.

6 May

Free food, caring and sharing: new spirit of community in Yorkshire – Observer

Hebden Bridge and Todmorden are leading a grassroots movement which people say is delivering quality of life, reported the Observer.

Kettling police powers – Red Pepper

Kevin Blowe used an article in Red Pepper magazine to invite readers to a conference on defending fundamental liberties during the Olympics and beyond

Public and Commercial Services Union