It has been revealed that Tory predictions for the economy have been inflated by 33 to 1. This is a comparison between the predictions in the Spring Statement and the recently released figures. https://skwawkbox.org/2018/04/27/economic-disaster-for-the-tories-as-growth-less-than-1-30th-of-predicted/
Economy: The Tories’ Real Problem with Austerity
In a short piece for the New Statesman, Stephen Bush beautifully sums up the biggest problem for the Tories and their ideology of austerity - if they want to keep going the only people left to take from are their own base, so now what? https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/economy/2018/04/conservatives-austerity-problem-isn-t-corbyn-it-s-cameron
Economy: Share Holders Wield Too Much Power
The hostile takeover of GKN shows that the Tories’ industrial policy is in disarray! https://leftfootforward.org/2018/04/gkn-hostile-takeover-shows-that-the-tories-industrial-policy-is-in-disarray-melrose/
Spring Statement: “Complacency” says Abbott
In an editorial piece for Labour List, Diane Abbott has a brief look at yesterday's Spring Statement and points out that the priorities are all wrong. https://labourlist.org/2018/03/diane-abbott-the-wrong-priorities/
Economy: May Faces Universal Credit Woes
Angela Rayner has done a lot in her short time as a shadow minister and forcing 2 crucial votes on Universal Credit was nothing short of fantastic. However, as Stephen Bush explains, this could be the least of Theresa May's worries. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/welfare/2018/03/conservatives-are-heading-trouble-over-universal-credit
Economy: McDonnell’s Plea to Hammond
In Treasury Questions today John McDonnell has urged Chancellor Philip Hammond to take some action to help stop the deepening crisis in children's services. https://labourlist.org/2018/02/protect-our-children-mcdonnells-plea-to-tory-chancellor-amid-funding-crisis/
Economy: The Financial Sector will Serve the Country Under Labour
Jeremy Corbyn has announced that when the Labour Party wins the next election there will be a fundamental change in the relationship between the country, financial institutions, and politicians. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-politics-corbyn/corbyn-warns-bankers-finance-will-serve-britain-under-labour-idUSKCN1G402M
Economy: McDonnell Attacks Central Government over Council Cuts
John McDonnell has accused the government of using cash-strapped local councils as “human shields” to absorb deep spending cuts by the Treasury. Everyday we hear of councils not meeting the standards that residents expect but what can they do with budgets slashed by up to 50%? https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/08/john-mcdonnell-councils-used-human-shields-funding-cuts?
Economics: Privatisation of Land?
This sector is the largest area of privatisation in the UK and nobody talks about it. Alice Martin gives a great account in today's Guardian linking the phenomenon to the housing crisis. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/08/biggest-privatisation-land-margaret-thatcher-britain-housing-crisis
Economy: McDonnell Attacks Tax Avoidance
New research obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by Labour and published today exposes that billions of pounds in tax is going uncollected from Tory tax avoidance measures introduced since 2010. https://labour.org.uk/press/tories-letting-global-tax-dodgers-off-hook-john-mcdonnell/
Adel and Wharfedale Branch 