The Grenfell Tower enquiry starts today. 

According to the BBC the head of the investigation, judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick, will give a statement to former residents and victims of the fire later. An interim report is expected to be published by next Easter. Some relatives of those killed in June's fire have questioned Sir Martin's suitability for the role, with one Labour MP labelling him a "technocrat". But he has promised a "very broad" inquiry, which will "go right back to the construction of the tower" in the 1970s.

This was our letter published on the Barrister magazine website about the disaster:

The Lessons from Grenfell Tower

The UK unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in the 3 months to July 2017, the lowest since 1975.

The inactivity rate declined by 0.3 percentage points in the 3 months ending July 2017, to a record low of 21.2%.

Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.4% in the 3 months to July 2017, both including and excluding bonuses compared with a year earlier.

The underemployment rate declined by 0.7 percentage points on the previous quarter, to its lowest since the 3 months to September 2008.

Following the publication of Good Work: the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, the DWP Select Committee and BEIS Select Committee will be holding a joint hearing with its author, Matthew Taylor, on the morning of Wednesday 11 October 2017 [timing tbc].

The Committees will question Mr Taylor on his recent report on modern working practices, including how the Government should act to ensure rights and fair pay for gig economy workers.

The Taylor Review examined the implications of new forms of work on the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers, and this session will build on the related work of the previous BEIS Committee’s inquiry into the Future World of Work and the Rights of Workers, and the previous Work & Pensions Committee report and inquiry into Self-Employment and the Gig Economy.

The Committees are expected to cover areas including employment status, support for the self-employed, flexibility for workers and employers, National Insurance Contributions and welfare state entitlements for the self-employed and the role and impact of enforcement of existing employment laws. Ahead of the Government’s formal response to the Taylor Review, the Committees will consider what legislative and other changes could be made to secure the rights of workers and a flexible economy.

Frank Field MP, Chair of the Work & Pensions Committee, said: “I hope our follow-up inquiry with Matthew Taylor on his report will tease out the areas where new legislation is needed. I would hope also that the Prime Minister, in thinking about how minority governments are successful if they are bold, might then suggest that the two select committees take the legislation through the House of Commons as private members’ bills, and give them the time and protection they need to pass safely through the House, while she gets on with Brexit.”

Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said: “Reform is needed now to make sure gig economy workers are not exploited. This session offers the opportunity to explore how the right reforms can be swiftly put in place to ensure workers get the protection and employment rights they deserve. As a Committee we want to examine the self-employment model, how the Taylor recommendations would affect the companies and workers involved, and what action Government needs to take to ensure the system is fair to workers, taxpayers and to businesses.”

ABC Note: We are talking to Mathew Taylor in November. Mr Taymor is at this event:

Event to be held at the following time, date and location:

Tuesday, 19 September 2017 from 08:30 to 10:30 (BST)

Work Foundation
21 Palmer Street
SW1H 0AD London
United Kingdom

Achieving more Good Work in the 21st century

Why is Good Work still important to a modern economy and what actions do we need to take if we are really going to achieve it in scale in the UK? These are the questions we will consider in a discussion led by Matthew Taylor on the back of his recent review of modern ways of working published in July. This session forms the second event in the Work Foundation’s seminar series this autumn, in partnership with Lancaster University, and is a great opportunity to contribute to our ongoing Commission on Good Work, concerned with how to enhance better working practices that make the most of people. Whilst many of the issues are not new, what this session can bring is insights about what we can do differently to really make a difference now?

The Taylor Review, which was commissioned last year by the Prime Minister, has inevitably ebbed and flowed across a variety of employment issues over the last few months, from futuristic debates around the impact of technology and advances in innovation to specific measures, around tax, employment rights and employee representation. Yet one core theme has been consistent throughout. How do we support businesses to create more Good Work?

Matthew Taylor has established a Good Work campaign in the UK, to develop a national strategy that can spread and share good practice amongst responsible businesses so Good Work is experienced in future by the many rather than the few. So how can we build on this campaign beyond the review and turn it into action? In this seminar we will ask the OECD to provide insights and lessons for the UK, drawing on international best practice as they develop a new Job Strategy across their 34 member countries, to support better employment opportunities world wide. Additionally, we will hear through Richard Baker, from BAe systems, about Sir Charlie Mayfield’s business-led Productivity Leadership Group, and how it intends to inspire more businesses in the UK to pursue productivity enhancing practices through people.

Following initial presentations and discussion amongst the panel, we will open up the debate, providing an opportunity for you to interact with speakers and other delegates via a Q&A; session.

Duration and timing:

19th September - Work Foundation, 21 Palmer Street, London, SW1H 0AD

08.30 Arrival and networking

09.00 Presentations begin

09:40  Q&A; and open debate

10:30 Close

Confirmed Speakers

• Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, RSA
• Mark Keese, Head of the Employment Analysis and Policy Division, OECD
• Richard Baker, shadow CEO of Productivity Leadership Group (Be The Business)

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In the first evidence session for the newly reformed Committee, set for Wednesday 13 September 2017, the Work and Pensions Committee hears an update on the troubled rollout of Universal Credit.

Wednesday 13 September 2017, Grimond room, Portcullis House.

At 9.30am

Witnesses

• Cllr Jane Corbett – Assistant Mayor of Liverpool and Mayoral Lead on Fairness and Tackling Poverty, Liverpool City Council
• Nicky Kingston – Area Manager, Incomes Team, Plymouth Community Homes
• Donna Gallagher – Universal Credit Implementation Manager, Your Homes Newcastle
• Cllr Fiona Colley – Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, Southwark Council

From approximately 10.15am

• Kayley Hignell – Head of Policy (welfare, work and family), Citizens Advice
• Nicola Smith – Advice Services Manager, Citizens Advice Southwark
• Richard Roberts – Manager, Wirral Foodbank
• Jeremy Hewer – Policy Advisor, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
• Natalie Williamson – Senior Policy Officer - Residential Landlords Association

Session background

The timetable for the rollout has been much delayed and revised, but the previous committee was more concerned by evidence of the impact of claim processing delays, and the potential for these to be exacerbated by the planned acceleration of the rollout from October 2017.

The hardship and financial difficulties faced by claimants awaiting UC payments were emphasised to the Committee by local authorities struggling to cope with the knock on effects of increased arrears and claimant debt associated with long waits for UC decisions and payments. More recently, food banks in rollout areas have reported struggling to meet demand since UC was introduced.  Committee Chair Frank Field met with the Secretary of State last week to discuss these concerns and will update the new Committee on the current position.

Focus of the session

Questioning will focus on how the roll-out of the Universal Credit full service is progressing, focusing on its implications for claimants, councils and social and private landlords, including:

• The DWP’s preparedness for the scheduled acceleration of the rollout of full service Universal Credit from October 2017 including progress since April 2017, when the predecessor Committee finished taking evidence on UC, especially in relation to:
• the accuracy and registration of payments
• waits for payments
• advance payments
• impact on and communication with local authorities and landlords
• Alternative Payment Arrangements
• the effect of a single monthly direct payment on rent arrears
• The proposed flexible arrangements in Scotland
• The effects of planned Jobcentre closures
• The effect of UC on claimants day-to-day lives and financial situations; and
• Whether, based on the above, the accelerated roll-out from October 2017 should go ahead as planned

Colchester Jobcentre are inviting jobseekers to attend a Job Fair on Tuesday 19th September at Colchester Jobcentre, 40 Chapel St S, Colchester, CO2 7AZ, United Kingdom. See 'Events' for more information.

On the 27th is a Jobs Fair, Town Hall, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ. Exhibitors include: Allied Healthcare, Ambitions Personnel, Avon, Call Assist, City Facilities Management Ltd (ASDA Aces), Colchester Institute, Coyle's Personnel, Debenhams, Dee Set, ENS, Premier Inn, Regency Security, Smyths Toy Store, Sodexo, Spicer Haart, University of Essex.

The SNP has attacked the Tory government for forcing low paid workers into exploitative zero-hours contracts and financial destitution – after ministers confirmed that Universal Credit claimants will now face costly benefit sanctions if they do not accept a zero-hours job offer.

Responding to a Parliamentary Question from SNP Social Justice spokesperson Neil Gray MP, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Minister Damian Hinds confirmed that while Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants are not required to apply for zero-hours contract jobs and cannot be sanctioned for refusing an offer, Universal Credit claimants are expected to apply and can be sanctioned. With the full accelerated roll-out of Universal Credit replacing Job Seekers’ Allowance this is likely to become standard policy for all job-seeking claimants.

By forcing people to take zero-hours jobs, the Tory government is pushing them into the arms of unscrupulous employers who can use the exploitative contracts knowing claimants have no choice but to accept. Due to the way Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, this means if a worker is offered few or no contracted hours in a period they then have little or no income to rely on – marking a significant change from Job Seekers Allowance and pushing people into destitution, crisis and emergency aid.

The confirmation this damaging policy will go ahead marks yet another failure of the Tory government’s Universal Credit and sanctions system, which has been beset by problems and has pushed many claimants in Scotland into financial hardship and rent arrears. Last week the UN committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities called for a review of UK government benefit sanctions, highlighting their detrimental effect on recipients.  The SNP want to see a wide-ranging review of UK government benefit sanctions, a halt to the roll-out of Universal Credit, and a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts.

The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs 12-month inflation rate was 2.7% in August 2017, up from 2.6% in July 2017.

Rising prices for clothing and motor fuels were the main contributors to the increase in the rate between July and August 2017.

Air fares also rose between July and August but the rise was smaller than between the same two months a year ago and so resulted in a partially offsetting, downward contribution.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate was 2.9% in August 2017, up from 2.6% in July 2017.

Prices in all broad categories were higher in August 2017 than a year ago with four showing their highest 12-month rate since 2012 or earlier; namely clothing and footwear, furniture and household goods, restaurants and hotels, and miscellaneous goods and services. The rate of 4.6% for clothing and footwear is the highest on record.

The rise in inflation in this category may reflect changes in the exchange rate impacting on the cost of imported clothing since clothing and footwear is one of the most import-intensive categories in the CPIH basket. 

ABC Comment: With benefits frozen this will impact on those on fixed incomes. 

Image: CPI Inflation September 2017

Holyrood’s Social Security Committee has issued an invitation to the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon David Gauke MP, to give evidence at a future committee meeting.

In 2016, the Committee heard from the then Secretary of State, Rt Hon Damian Green MP about the devolution of some social security benefits. This invitation comes as the Committee considers one of the biggest transfer of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament in the shape of the Social Security Bill. This Bill will see the devolution of 11 benefits leading to expenditure of £2.9 billion a year.

Image: Sandra White MSP

Committee Convener, Sandra White MSP said:

“We are in the middle of a process of huge change with social security. Not only have we seen change from the Westminster Government but we also have the Social Security Bill before us. However, amongst this change it is vital that we don’t lose sight of those most affected.

“This is why we have invited the Secretary of State to appear before our Committee in order that we can be reassured that the handover of these powers happens smoothly and also to discuss the UK Government’s approach to welfare and the impact it has on people in Scotland.”

During the meeting, the Committee will explore with the Secretary of State the devolution of welfare powers to Scotland and how the two Government’s will work together to deliver a benefits system across the UK..

It is hoped the meeting with the Secretary of State will take place before Christmas

Government has not evaluated the impact of its welfare reforms on homelessness, or the impact of the mitigations that it has put in place, according to the National Audit Office.

There were 77,240 households in temporary accommodation in England in March 2017, an increase of 60% since March 2011. These households included 120,540 children, an increase of 73% from March 2011. Homelessness at present costs the public sector in excess of £1 billion a year. More than three quarters of this – £845 million – was spent on temporary accommodation. Three quarters of this spending – £638 million – was funded by housing benefit.

The ending of private sector tenancies has overtaken all other causes to become the biggest single  driver of statutory homelessness in England. The proportion of households accepted as homeless by local authorities due to the end of an assured shorthold tenancy increased from 11% during 2009-10 to 32% during 2016-17. The proportion in London increased during the same period from 10% to 39%. Across England, the ending of private sector tenancies accounts for 74% of the growth in households who qualify for temporary accommodation since 2009-10. In addition, it appears likely that the decrease in affordability of properties in the private rented sector, of which welfare reforms such as the capping of Local Housing Allowance are an element, have driven this increase in homelessness.

Today’s report found that the Department for Communities and Local Government does not have a published cross government strategy to prevent and tackle homelessness. It has, however, acknowledged the scale of the challenge and plans to improve the data the government holds on homelessness.

In addition, although the Department is responsible for tackling homelessness, during its increase, the Department took a light touch approach to working with local authorities. This contrasts with the more interventionist approach that it has taken during previous periods of high homelessness.  Although the Department requires each local authority to have a homelessness strategy, it does not monitor their content or their progress.

The Department has supported new legislation that will increase the responsibilities of local authorities in preventing homelessness. The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 aims to give local authorities more responsibility for preventing homelessness. The Department expects that these responsibilities will lead to an increase in prevention cases and a fall in the number of households that qualify for temporary accommodation.

The ability of local authorities to respond to increased homelessness is constrained by the limited options they have to house homeless families. As the NAO set out in its assessment of the housing market in Housing in England: overview, there has been a significant reduction in social housing over the past few decades. While spending by local authorities on homelessness services such as temporary accommodation has steadily increased since 2010, spending on overall housing services has fallen by 21% in real terms over the same period. The proportion of homeless households in temporary accommodation outside their home borough increased from 13% in March 2011to 28% in March 2017. Almost 90% of these households are from London boroughs.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said today:

“Homelessness in all its forms has significantly increased in recent years, driven by several factors.  Despite this, government has not evaluated the impact of its reforms on this issue, and there remain gaps in its approach.

“It is difficult to understand why the Department persisted with its light touch approach in the face of such a visibly growing problem. Its recent performance in reducing homelessness therefore cannot be considered value for money”.

The DWP have a stall at the TUC conference for the first time. The 149th annual TUC Congress 2017 will take place at The Brighton Centre. The Department of Work & Pensions have boldly set up shop in the exhibition hall to promote their access to work scheme.

The TUC conference is set to back public sector pay strikes.

TUC research earlier this year showed how much public-sector wages would be down in real terms if the pay cap continued until 2020.

Workers in the public sector face real pay falls of thousands of pounds by 2020, according to new analysis published today (Wednesday) by the TUC.

Midwives, teachers and social workers will see real pay losses of over £3,000, while nurses, firefighters and border guards face losing more than £2,500.

Ambulance drivers, who already earn significantly below the average UK wage, are set to miss out on over £1,800.

The falls in real pay are caused by government restrictions on public pay, which limit salary increases to 1% a year. This stops wages from keeping up with rising living costs.

Over 5.4 million people work in the public sector – nearly 1 in 5 workers in the UK.