Watch Dr John Tomlinson, speak on Universal Basic Income. John has been writing about this topic since his Doctoral thesis in 1989, and is a founder of Basic Income Guarantee Australia (BIGA), an Australian University research website promoting a universal basic income guarantee.

Basic Income Guarantee Australia (BIGA) is an Australian University research web-site promoting a universal basic income guarantee as a just path to poverty elimination, economic security and solidarity in Australia and internationally.

Have you joined the Fabian Society yet?

The Fabian Society is Britain’s leading left of centre think tank and political society, committed to creating the political ideas and policy debates which can shape the future of progressive politics. With over 300 Fabian MPs, MEPs, Peers, MSPs and AMs, the Society plays an unparalleled role in linking the ability to influence policy debates at the highest level with vigorous grassroots debate among our growing membership of over 7000 people, 70 local branches meeting regularly throughout Britain and a vibrant Young Fabian section organising its own activities. Fabian publications, events and ideas therefore reach and influence a wider audience than those of any comparable think tank. The Society is unique among think tanks in being a thriving, democratically-constituted membership organisation, affiliated to the Labour Party but organisationally and editorially independent. For over 120 years Fabians have been central to every important renewal and revision of left of centre thinking. The Fabian commitment to open and participatory debate is as important today as ever before as we explore the ideas, politics and policies which will define the next generation of progressive politics in Britain, Europe and around the world. To find out more about the Fabian Society, the Young Fabians, the Fabian Women’s Network and our local societies, please visit our web site at www.fabians.org.uk.

The Australian Fabians have published some interesting videos.

Having a job is the traditional entry point into adult social life. What you do so frequently defines who you are that they are hard to separate. Work and a meaningful life are almost inextricably bound together in most people's thinking.

Yet if work is diminishing and the work that remains for the majority becomes meaningless, low status and simply that which machines cannot do, where can we find a meaningful attachment to wider society? If the options for almost any kind of employment are reduced by technology and globalisation, how can people retain their dignity and place in society?

Possibilities include a new twist on co-operatives, voluntary work enhancing civil society or the introduction of a universal basic income. This event discusses some of the alternative options for a meaningful work life, decoupled perhaps from the traditional job market, or perhaps from the economic necessity of work.

Emma Kerin, National Union of Workers Media Communications Organiser, speaks on Co-operative work and worker co-operatives, another alternative to work as it is currently understood.

Have you joined the Fabian Society yet?

The Fabian Society is Britain’s leading left of centre think tank and political society, committed to creating the political ideas and policy debates which can shape the future of progressive politics. With over 300 Fabian MPs, MEPs, Peers, MSPs and AMs, the Society plays an unparalleled role in linking the ability to influence policy debates at the highest level with vigorous grassroots debate among our growing membership of over 7000 people, 70 local branches meeting regularly throughout Britain and a vibrant Young Fabian section organising its own activities. Fabian publications, events and ideas therefore reach and influence a wider audience than those of any comparable think tank. The Society is unique among think tanks in being a thriving, democratically-constituted membership organisation, affiliated to the Labour Party but organisationally and editorially independent. For over 120 years Fabians have been central to every important renewal and revision of left of centre thinking. The Fabian commitment to open and participatory debate is as important today as ever before as we explore the ideas, politics and policies which will define the next generation of progressive politics in Britain, Europe and around the world. To find out more about the Fabian Society, the Young Fabians, the Fabian Women’s Network and our local societies, please visit our web site at www.fabians.org.uk.

UK government “not doing enough” to find out impact of benefit sanctions.

DIRECTOR KEN LOACH BACKS MHAIRI BLACK’S PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL

The Scottish National Party has today repeated calls for a full and independent review of the “deeply flawed” benefits sanctions regime after Whitehall’s official auditor said the UK Government was “not doing enough” to find out how sanctions affect people on benefits.

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) found that the controversial benefits sanctions regime costs taxpayers a staggering £285 million compared to the £132 million a year that the cuts save.

Mhairi Black MP’s Private Member’s Bill, which will be debated in the House of Commons on Friday 2nd December, will introduce a code of conduct for Jobcentre staff across the UK that would ensure an individual’s personal circumstances would be taken into account before a sanction is issued.  

Director Ken Loach, whose recent film I, Daniel Black explores the effect of benefit sanctions, has backed the Bill saying Mhairi Black is an MP “working hard to make a difference” and urged others to support her initiative.

Mhairi Black MP said:

“The benefit sanctions regime is deeply flawed and the SNP has long-called for a full and independent review of the entire system.

“The NAO found that a shocking 24% of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants received a sanction between 2010 and 2015 and that the rate of sanctioning varies dramatically - this is simply not right and it is vital that the Tories finally listen to the concerns about the damage that benefit sanctions can have on individuals and their families.

“My Private Member’s Bill - which will be debated on Friday - will introduce a code of conduct for all Jobcentres across the UK that would make it compulsory for advisors to take a claimant’s personal circumstances into account before issuing a sanction.  For example, advisors would need to consider whether a person is at risk of homelessness, whether they have caring responsibilities or a mental health condition that could be exacerbated further if their benefits were to be sanctioned.

“It is a small ask and unfortunately I can’t use a Private Member’s Bill to scrap the sanctions completely but hopefully, with the support of MPs across the House of Commons, I’ll be able to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of people across the UK.”

ONS Figures just released show:

A newborn baby boy could expect to live 79.2 years and a newborn baby girl 82.9 years if mortality rates remain the same as they were in the UK in 2013 to 2015 throughout their lives.

Life expectancy for the UK is higher in 2013 to 2015 compared to 2009 to 2011 but the proportion of life spent in good health is falling, due to the improvement in life expectancy exceeding that of healthy life expectancy.

The provisional number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 18 November 2016 (week 46) was 10,694. This represents an increase of 224 deaths registered in comparison with the previous week (week 45).

The average number of deaths for the corresponding week over the previous 5 years was 9,751.

In 2015, over half (53%) of all live births in England and Wales were to mothers aged 30 and over and two-thirds (68%) of fathers were aged 30 and over.

The average age of all fathers increased to 33.2 years in 2015, compared with 33.1 years in 2014. For mothers the average age was 30.3 years compared with 30.2 years in 2014.

The average age of first-time mothers was 28.6 years in 2015, compared with 28.5 years in 2014.

Plaid Cymru’s Leader has put the Welsh Government under pressure for failing to ban letting agent fees.

The Rhondda AM said during First Minister’s Questions that unless action is taken, Wales will be left trailing Scotland and England in prohibiting the charges.

Ms Wood also criticised the Welsh Government for voting against her party’s previous efforts to “implement policies that will help the lowest paid and people in poverty.” 

She said: “Last year Plaid Cymru tabled amendments to the renting homes bill, but you declined at that point to take the opportunity to ban excessive letting fees.

“Apparently against the wishes of your own backbenchers.

“Banning excessive agency fees is not the only issue on which your backbenchers have wanted to vote with Plaid Cymru amendments to improve legislation.

“We’ve wanted to ban zero hour contracts in social care.  There always seems to be an excuse; you don’t have the power or the amendment wasn’t drafted correctly or perhaps my favourite – ‘We haven’t consulted on the issue’

“This is after 17 years of being in power.”

The Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones has said he is actively considering banning letting agents' fees.  

A ban on the fees in England was announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond in his Autumn Statement.

Carwyn Jones told AMs during First Minister's Questions that it would look strange if there were fees in Wales, but not in England and Scotland.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood accused him of being slow to act on a "vitally important social justice question".

As Wales continues to show vacancy rates higher than the rest of the UK and footfall in Welsh town centres continue to fall, Plaid Cymru will use a Senedd debate to call on the Labour Welsh Government to take swift action to help small businesses on the high street.

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Adam Price, has also encouraged shoppers to choose the high street over shopping centres or online-shopping in the run-up to this Christmas.

The latest figures show that the high street is continuing to suffer at the detriment of out-of-town shopping centres, and suggest that more needs to be done to help the centres of smaller towns.

Small Business Saturday, which takes place on the 3^rd of December, gives us an opportunity to draw attention to how shopping locally helps the Welsh economy.

Fancy a career in Professional Football? 

The first ever Global Employment Report by professional footballers’ union FIFPro was just released. Polish MEP Bogdan Wenta, a former Olympic handball star, is participating.

Did you know?

Nearly half of professional footballers earn less than $1,000 a month.

Twenty-nine percent of players are forced to change their clubs against their will, and 15 percent are victims of bullying, harassment or other forms of abuse, including physical violence.

You can download the report below:

Turn2Us have produced this useful list of benefit changes

During 2017

Tax Free Childcare

Tax Free Childcare is to be introduced as a replacement for employer supported childcare (childcare vouchers).

The government will contribute up to 20% of the first £10000 of registered childcare costs per child, per year. This equates to a maximum of £2000 per child, per year.

The scheme will be available to people who have an annual income under £150,000 and are not receiving help with childcare via tax credits. It is expected to reach more people than the current scheme.
For further details see our Tax Free Childcare information sheet.

April 2017

Bereavement Support Payment

The current bereavement benefit system  will be replaced with a single system of Bereavement Support Payments (BSP). This will be introduced for new claims from April 2017.

Tax Credits Support for children reduced

Government proposed in the summer budget 2015 that support for children through Tax Credits and Universal Credit will be limited to two children from April 2017. Equivalent changes will be made to the Housing Benefit rules. See Summer Budget 2015 page

Tax Credit Family Element removed

Tax Credit Family element proposed change: People starting a family after April 2017 will no longer be eligible for the Family Element in tax credits. The equivalent in Universal Credit, known as the first child premium, will also not be available for new claims after April 2017.

Universal Credit requirements for parents to look for work

Parents with a youngest child aged 3, including lone parents are expected to look for work if they want to claim Universal Credit.

Reduction in payment for ESA Work-Related Activity Group Claimants

From 1 April 2017, new ESA claimants who are placed in the Work-Related Activity Group will receive the same rate of payment as those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and the equivalent in Universal Credit.   See Summer Budget 2015 page

Universal Credit Youth Obligation

18-21 year olds who are on Universal Credit will have to either apply for training/ apprenticeships or attend a work placements from six month after the start of their claim. Apart from certain exempt groups (those considered to be vulnerable) – proposed introduction from April 2017 . 

Universal Credit Housing Support removed for young people

Reform to housing and housing support proposed- including removing the entitlement to housing support in Universal Credit for those aged 21 or under from April 2017.See Summer Budget 2015 page.

Change in Hardship Payments for mentally ill and homeless

Hardship Payment proposed change: Hardship payments (of 40% of the benefit amount) to be automatically payable to jobseekers who are mentally ill and homeless when they are sanctioned. These claimants currently must apply for hardship payments when they've been sanctioned and may be refused. The proposal means to add them to the group of vulnerable people who can receive hardship payments whilst under sanction without applying for them first (such as claimants with children or long-term health problems).

Universal Credit taper to be reduced from 65 per cent to 63 per cent

From April 2017, the taper rate that applies in Universal Credit will be reduced from 65 per cent to 63 per cent.   This means that claimants will be able to keep 37p for every £1 earned in work above work allowances rather than 35p for every £1 earned.  See Autumn Statement 2016 page.

 Autumn /End of 2017

Free Childcare Extended

Free childcare entitlement will be doubled from 15 hours to 30 hours a week for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds from September 2017.

Higher Income Social Tenants to Pay Higher Rents

The Summer Budget 2015 put forward plans to require social tenants on higher incomes (over £40,000 in London and over £30,000 outside London) to pay higher (market rate or near market rate) rents. The government will consult and set out the detail of this reform in due course. See Summer Budget 2015 page

Universal Credit Roll out

The Government expected that the roll out of Universal Credit would be complete by the end of 2017. Iain Duncan Smith has since admitted that at least 700,000 claimants will not be on UC by the end of 2017. See our Universal Credit Timetable to keep up with the progress of the roll out.

April 2018

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) payments

The government announced in the summer budget 2015 that from April 2018, new SMI payments will be paid as a loan. Loans will be repaid upon sale of a claimant's house, or when claimants return to work.

Bloomberg’s Laura Hurst and Thomas Penny report: “The proposals, which will be published for consultation on Tuesday, will seek to set up staff scrutiny committees, force firms to publish pay ratios between chief executive officers and average employees, and give shareholders binding veto powers on executive pay, U.K. Work and Pensions Secretary said on Sunday.”

“Often the problem in the past has been that the shareholders haven’t had the power, or in some cases the inclination, to actually protest or to say we don’t find this acceptable,” Green said. “This will give the power to the shareholders.”

Theresa May Challenged

U.K. business leaders backed by the Bank of England challenged May’s calls to restrict executive pay, in a report published on Friday. The Purposeful Company Taskforce is recommending pay policies that encourage long-term performance, stopping short of binding votes on wages.

Workers will have representation on remuneration committees, Green said, though the plans stop short of workers on boards, a measure proposed by May when she was running for the Conservative Party leadership in July.

Along with greater transparency on pay ratios, having a say in senior pay rates will make workers “feel” that they are sharing in the success of the company, Green said. The proposals are also intended to strengthen the opportunities for shareholders to block excessive pay awards.

Information: Bloomberg

Meanwhile

EU pay rise — officials to get 3.3 percent pay rise: 

The pay rise comes from a calculation that averages the pay rises of national civil servants across Europe (1.9 percent), added to the annual inflation rate in Belgium and Luxembourg (1.4 percent). 

The Paris-based club of rich countries where 25 of its 35 members hail from Europe has updated its income distribution database: “Since 2010, the year GDP and employment resumed growing in the OECD area, the economic recovery has gradually led to improvements in labour markets and household incomes. Nonetheless, the recovery has not yet delivered inclusive growth and not reversed the trend towards increasing income inequality observed over the past decades.” 

Please find the report below: