Latest Articles By Simon Collyer

Deflation returns to the Eurozone: Consumer prices fell 0.2 percent in February, the first month of negative inflation since September. Bad news and more pressure on the European Central Bank to take decisive action at its March 10 meeting. With...

Basic income in Europe: what could shape a social-democratic proposal. While most European countries have forms of minimum income protection, a basic income intended as a universal, unconditional and non-withdrawable intervention for all citizens, ha...

 The latest government U-turn on cruel welfare policies  The UK government has been forced into another U-turn by agreeing to retain a legally binding commitment to measure and publish the number of children living in low-income families, f...

Many people on low incomes are required to have Direct Debits on their accounts if they want certain services. There is no option to opt out. Banks are still levying excessive charges on customers who miss Direct Debit payments, £45 in the case...

Thirteen political parties registered in Great Britain reported accepting over £9 million in donations between 1 October and 31 December 2015, according to new figures published by the Electoral Commission, the independent party funding watchdo...

A law to revamp the European Employment Services (EURES) network with an EU-wide database of job seekers and vacancies was approved by Parliament on Thursday. The aim is to help fight unemployment by better matching labour market supply and demand. U...

 SNP MP Stewart McDonald has written to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith about the impact of the UK government’s welfare reforms on people living with HIV in Scotland.   The Glasgow South MP has raised concerns about the...

George Osborne’s pledge to inflict further austerity has met with a great deal of criticism.   Speaking in China, the Chancellor warned that “further reductions in spending” may be coming in his spring Budget. &n...

Why we are mainly focused on Europe we take a look at other parts of the world. In Australia the country is battling with many of the problems we have here in Europe. This Fabien Society report tells a lot about the problems Australia is facing Posit...

EVIDENCE SESSION: In-work progression in Universal Credit  3.45pm, Monday 29 February 2016, the Thatcher Room, Portcullis House.  Inquiry: In-work progression in Universal Credit Work and Pensions Committee In the second of three evidence s...