David Marr posits, 'This man is perhaps the sanest journalist in Australia.

While a lot of attention has focused on political ructions overseas in the last twelve months; Brexit in the UK and the election of Donald Trump in the US, at a recent Fabians event, journalist George Megalogenis shared his ideas on the biggest political challenge for Australia in the next 20 years.

Megalogenis argues this test is centred on the government’s role in readying for a population boom, which is largely fuelled by immigration to Melbourne and Sydney, two cities already perceived by the rest of Australia as culturally and economically disconnected from everywhere else.

Megalogenis asked some thought provoking questions for both sides of politics such as: will an Australian population of 35 million within the next fifteen years have the same standard of living as we do now if the government doesn’t invest in city planning and infrastructure to accommodate this growth? What role does the government have in ensuring the education system provides the growing population with the outcomes necessary to compete in a globalised world? And how can we manage this growth in population, which if left to its own devices, would continue to bulge the population of Melbourne and Sydney, so that all of Australia can benefit from the economic growth and rise in skills which the biggest two cities have been benefiting from for decades?

You can watch Megalogenis’s fascinating speech below to learn more about his insights into how Australia can navigate the population boom to make the most of the opportunities immigration provides, while avoiding the dangerous ramifications of doing nothing, which lead to the worst possible political outcomes in the case of Brexit and Trump.

This is an interesting speech for those interested in BREXIT from an Australian perpective. 

Image: Australian Fabians

An eye-catching campaign to help council tenants get their finances in order has been launched by Sheffield City Council.

Don’t Bury Your Head in the Sand is the message behind the campaign which aims to help tenants manage their money, with advice about budgeting, tackling debt, making rent a priority and saving.

Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I know many tenants are under pressure with low wages, benefit changes and the continued Government cuts. And I want them to know there is plenty of help and financial advice out there, including from our own Money Advice Team.

Image: Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Housing

“Because times are tough for many people, we’re promoting the fact that we are here to help and that it’s always better to face things head on, rather than burying your head in the sand.”

The campaign features outdoor advertising in the city centre and in rent letters mailed out to all tenants this month.

More information, including useful links and contacts, is available at:

Tenants experiencing money worries can contact the Council’s Money Advice Team on 0114 293 0000 or 0114 205 3333.

Government advertising campaign launches today to raise lowest paid workers’ knowledge of their rights ahead of the National Minimum and National Living Wage rates rise on 1 April

Government advertising campaign goes live across the country today to raise lowest paid workers’ knowledge of their rights ahead of the National Minimum and National Living Wage rates rise on 1 April

New poll shows lack of understanding when it comes to being paid, including for travel time and security searches at the start or end of shifts

Business Minister Margot James: “We are determined to make sure everybody in work receives a fair wage”

The Government has today launched a nationwide campaign to increase low paid workers’ understanding of their rights around pay.

The national advertising campaign - which will be carried on public transport, in shopping centres and other public places - is being rolled out ahead of the Government’s National Minimum and National Living Wage rates rising on 1 April.

It comes as a new poll for the Government shows many people in low paid work are confused about when they should be paid and what deductions from their pay packets can legally be made.

The poll of more than 1,400 workers earning less than £15,000 found:

69% didn’t know they should be paid for travel time between appointments

57% didn’t know having money deducted from their wages to cover the costs of their uniform is unlawful if it takes their earnings under the National Minimum or National Living Wage

48% didn’t know that tips can’t be used to top up pay to the legal minimum

Some of the most common excuses given to HMRC by employers for underpaying workers include using tips to top up pay to the minimum wage, making staff pay for their uniforms out of their salary which takes them below the legal minimum, not paying for shutting up shop or for time waiting for security checks, or the time spent travelling from one appointment to another.

In light of this, the campaign highlights some of the most common examples when a worker may be underpaid the legal minimum in a bid to encourage workers to check their pay.

Business Minister Margot James said:

“We are determined to make sure everybody in work receives a fair wage and while most employers get it right, there are still a small number who fail to play by the rules. This campaign will raise awareness among the lowest paid people in society about what they must legally receive.

“Anyone who thinks they may be paid less than the legal minimum should contact Acas as soon as possible.”

Jennie Granger, Director General for Customer Compliance at HMRC, said:

“Paying the National Minimum Wage is the law – it’s not a choice. Employers must pay their workers what they’re entitled to and follow the rules.

“We will act to ensure ripped-off workers receive their proper pay and hardworking businesses are not losing out to dodgy dealers who cheat their staff.”

Ahead of 1 April, when the national minimum and living wage rates go up, workers are encouraged to check their pay, speak to their boss about the rate rise and report underpayment to Acas, the independent workplace advisory service.

Stewart Gee, Head of Guidance at Acas, said:

“We welcome this new Government awareness campaign as it is important for employers to stay within the law and for workers to be fully aware of the pay that they are legally entitled to.

“Acas has free and impartial advice for both employers and employees on the correct national minimum and living wage rates and advice for workers on what they can do if they feel that they are not being paid correctly.”

Information on the Government’s National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage and to report underpayment.

More Information:

From 1 April 2017: The Government’s National Living Wage rate for those aged 25 and over will increase by 30p to £7.50 per hour.

For the Government’s National Minimum Wage:

the rate for 21 to 24 year olds will increase by 10p to £7.05 per hour

the rate for 18 to 20 year olds will increase by 5 to £5.60 per hour

the rate for 16 to 17-year-old will increase by 5p to £4.05 per hour

the apprentice rate will increase by 10p to £3.50 per hour

The new rates were been recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission after careful consideration of evidence from both workers and employers.

HMRC enforces the Government’s National Minimum and Living Wage law and over the next year will spend a record £25.3 million on making sure the country’s lowest paid people get the pay they are entitled to.

On 15 February, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy named and shamed a record 359 employers for underpaying workers nearly £1 million.

Polling methodology statement: Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,435 UK adults who are currently working aged 16+ earning less than £15,000 a year from its online panel between 14 and 20 February 2017. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. Populus is a founder member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

The Scottish National Party have called for clarity from the UK government over cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) which could see around 160,000 disabled people stripped of their financial support.

The UK government has announced emergency legislation to change PIPs, which replaced Disability Living Allowance, and overturn two tribunal rulings last year which it claims would have added £3.7bn to the benefits bill by 2023.  The support is designed to help people cope with the extra costs of living with ill health or disability.

Tory MP and head of the Number 10 Policy Unit George Freeman, said the changes would ensure that benefits went to people who are “really disabled” rather than people “who suffer from anxiety”.  His comments have drawn criticism from opposition MPs and disability organisations.

Image: Corri Wilson MP and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MP

Corri Wilson MP, the SNP’s Disability spokesperson, said:

“George Freeman’s crass and unhelpful comments seeking to differentiate between mental and physical disabilities once again highlights this Tory government’s utter lack of understanding or compassion when it comes to providing for those who are less fortunate than others - he should be ashamed of himself and must apologise for the offence he has caused.

“We were told that there would be no further cuts to disability support during this parliament but once again this Tory government has shown that austerity - no matter what the impact is on people’s lives - is to be pursued at all costs.

“The UK government must urgently clarify what these new proposals will mean for people who currently receive PIPs and give an assurance that any changes will not result in a reduction in financial support as the Tories promised.

“I have signed a “prayer” motion in the House of Commons to formally object to this legislation and I call on all MPs to unite in opposition against these changes by adding their signature too.”

Economic Affairs Committee

Tuesday 28 February 2017 Meeting starts at 3.35pm

The Economic Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry on Brexit and the Labour Market.  The Committee will examine the impact of Brexit on the UK Labour market. The Committee’s inquiry will consider the impact on businesses and employees of a reduction in net migration. The inquiry will cover the situation of EU and non-EU migrants.  The Committee will hear oral evidence from the beginning of February and publish its report in May.

Witness(es): Professor Robert Wright, Professor of Economics, Strathclyde Business School, Strathclyde University Mr Chris Murray, Research Fellow, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Mr Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)

Witness(es): Dr Martin Ruhs, Associate Professor of Political Economy, University of Oxford Dr Lucie Cerna, Research Associate, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), University of Oxford Dr Jean-Christophe Dumont, Head of the International Migration Division, Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris (OECD)

The Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee is seeking views on the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill. The Committee will be considering evidence during March and April with a view to reporting its views on the general principles of the Bill in May.

The Bill is narrow and confined to high level strategic outcomes. It establishes a framework for reducing child poverty and puts in place mechanisms to assess progress. 

You can contribute.  Click here to see more:

The Scottish Government introduced the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill on 9 February 2017.  The Bill establishes a framework for reducing child poverty and puts in place mechanisms to assess progress.  The Bill does not extend to specific policy measures that could contribute to reducing child poverty. 

It establishes statutory targets to be met by Scottish Ministers relating to child poverty and a requirement to prepare delivery plans and annual progress reports.  The Bill requires local authorities and health boards to report jointly on what local actions are being taken to contribute to meeting targets.

You can read about the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill below: 

Serious systematic problems exist with the new Universal Credit system according to a letter issued today by MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee. Problems which will only get worse as a result of the UK Government’s planned closure of jobcentres in Scotland.

With the roll-out of Universal Credit in its early stages, the Committee met with those responsible for administering the system and claimants to hear how this is working in practice. The Committee is concerned about unacceptable delays in people receiving the money they are entitled to leading to anxiety, hardship and pushing people into rent arrears. 

The Committee has now written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt Hon Damian Green MP, highlighting the evidence and urging him to address the problems inherent in the system before Universal Credit is rolled-out further in Scotland.

These problems include long waiting times for the Universal Credit helpline. With claimants being charged for calls, these result in extra costs at a time when people are already struggling. The Committee’s letter makes clear that all calls to this helpline should be free. 

The Committee also heard that third sector organisations are struggling with increasing, more complex caseloads caused by the change to Universal Credit because local job centres are ill-equipped to effectively support claimants.  

Universal Credit replaces six benefits - income support, jobseeker's allowance, employment support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit - with a single payment. The Committee’s work in finding out how the roll-out of Universal Credit was being developed focused on Musselburgh, one of the first areas in Scotland to roll out Universal Credit. 

Convener of the Social Security Committee Sandra White MSP said:

“The whole purpose of Universal Credit was to simplify the process of claiming for social security by rolling six benefits into the one payment. We heard some shocking stories of people whose are being driven to breaking point because this system simply doesn’t work for them. 

“We hope that the evidence we heard directly from people using the system will be a wake-up call to the Secretary of State that changes need to be made before Universal Credit is rolled-out any further. 

“We recognise any new system is always going to have some issues but most of the Committee agree that if these fundamental, systemic  issues are not addressed then Universal Credit is not a workable system.

“Even more concerning is that some of the problems we encountered are likely to be made worse by the closure of job centres across Scotland with more pressure being put on the third sector to help some of our most vulnerable people in Scotland.”

In the Committee’s letter the following issues were identified:

Transitional problems

Local DWP staff were not in a position, at the time of roll-out, to effectively advise claimants. Lessons should be learned from this. Too much reliance is being placed on third sector advice and support workers ensuring people are supported and assisted through what can be a frustrating and bewildering process. Third sector organisations are struggling with increasing, more complex caseloads caused by the UC roll-out. We are extremely concerned that the closure of jobcentres will simply exacerbate this. 

Systemic problems

The built-in delay before the first payment is received is causing problems. Advances are available but these are repayable in fixed instalments. It is the view of most members of this Committee that these advances should not be repayable and should be treated as grant monies.  

Calls to the Universal Credit helpline are expensive, particularly so from mobiles. Local DWP staff do not have authority to take decisions and claimants have no option other than to call the helpline, often at great expense. Calls to a helpline such as this should be free.  

A 7 day waiting period for new claims coupled with payments being made monthly in arrears is resulting in real hardship for people. Claimants are waiting too long to receive the money they are entitled to. We did not meet anyone who had been paid within 5 weeks; 8 or 9 weeks was the norm. People are finding themselves in rent arrears unnecessarily due to these delays. This is causing understandable anxiety. The delays in people receiving the money they are entitled to and the increasing demands on the Scottish Welfare Fund were unsustainable in Musselburgh. Claims must be dealt with more quickly.

Availability of support for vulnerable or less able claimants

The digital by default approach must do more to recognise that not everyone has ready access to a computer or digital device. Even people who do have access are not necessarily equipped with the skills to enable them to assimilate information, make decisions and complete forms online.

For more vulnerable people, this is simply beyond them. More must be done to take people’s differing needs in to account and ensure the application process is a fair one.

Background

MSPs heard directly from people claiming Universal Credit and described some of their findings as “shocking”. They heard about confusion around entitlement, claimants having to apply for hardship grants and finding themselves in rent arrears as a result of delays in payment and long waiting times for callers to the Universal Credit helpline, often at great expense. 

A copy of the full letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and a copy of the informal meeting with claimants are available here

Housing policy across Europe faces many challenges. In particular, a growing and increasingly diverse demand for decent homes for everyone, especially among more vulnerable groups such as the elderly, those on low wages or with disabilities, refugees, mobile workers and homeless people. Traditional social housing no longer meets all their needs, so new, more creative solutions are required.

Image: Friends of Europe

Please read the report below

Unemployed people received twice as many benefit sanctions as the DWP are willing to admit, according to new research.

There were 300,000 sanctions imposed on unemployed people in the UK in the year to September 2016, double the number reported by the DWP, according to a University of Glasgow academic.

Dr David Webster found that JSA claimants are being sanctioned for longer on average and that the rate of ESA sanctions has risen sharply.

Dr Webster also criticised the DWP for failing to improve its reporting of sanctions, which continue to fail to meet the requirements of the UK Statistics Authority. Academic experts previously described the way that the DWP compiles its figures as a “gross and systematic misrepresentation” which suppress the full scale of how claimants are being penalised.

Commenting, SNP MSP Sandra White said:

“This is yet another blow to the credibility of the Tory sanctions regime, which causes a great deal of distress and hardship to people seeking work – and actually costs the taxpayer more to administer than it saves.

“The Tory axemen can try and massage the figures all they want, but we now know that sanction numbers are twice as high as they’ll admit. They can’t keep turning a blind eye to the evidence.

“It’s time to ditch this flawed sanctions regime and to put dignity and fairness at the heart of our Social Security system.”

Image: Dr David Webster, Glasgow University

School of Social and Political Sciences

Havant Borough Council (HBC) is freezing council tax for the eighth consecutive year they tell us.

The council has achieved financial sustainability without significant service reduction, despite the continuing fall in central government grants.

HBC has been working on innovative methods to save money; commissioning with Six Councils, joint ventures and partnership working.

Furthermore, the council has pledged to continue to focus on the economic growth of the borough in the upcoming financial year.

HBC has set-up a ‘Prosperity Havant’ programme which has already encouraged inward investment and high growth companies to move to the borough. It all sounds vey good. 

It is excellent news that councils are sending us their updates and we hope to bring you more specific news in future for those battling the economic headwinds, looking for work or thinking of starting their own business. Thank you to Christina How and the Team Havant Borough Council, communications team. 

And

Havant Borough Council (HBC) has supported two local charities in their successful bid for £190,587 of funding.

Southern Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS), in partnership with Motiv8 and HBC, applied for the funding from a £20million pot being awarded by the Department for Communities and Local Government to support domestic abuse victims.

The funding will be used to increase knowledge of domestic abuse and violence, as well as extending the support on offer through community services to prevent victims becoming high risk and needing refuge provision.

A dedicated worker will also be funded to seek out marginalised communities and build lasting, trusting relationships with them.

SDAS will also link with voluntary and community organisations as well as residents through the ‘Delivering Differently in Wecock Farm’ project.

The project in Wecock Farm aims to empower residents to work more effectively with services and highlight any missed opportunities where issues could be dealt with sooner or more effectively.

A second bid was also put forward by HBC, along with 10 other district councils in Hampshire, for the funding which was also successful.

More than £300,000 was awarded to the second bid which will be spent county-wide.

This funding will be used to support the Hampshire Making Safe scheme which HBC has been working with for a number of years already.

The scheme works with victims of domestic abuse, enabling them to stay safe in their own homes, and this funding will enable continuation of services and support which is already in place.

The Hampshire Making Safe scheme partners with Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Hampshire Police, the Blue Lamp Trust and You Trust, as well as SDAS.

Councillor Leah Turner, Cabinet Lead for Communities and Housing, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded these grants. It demonstrates yet again that when local authorities work alongside their partners, such as SDAS, so much more can be achieved.

“This funding will enable SDAS to continue with tackling really important issues that impact upon peoples’ quality of life. I would like to congratulate all of those who have been involved with the bid and will be watching the projects develop with a keen interest.”