Web links | ToUChstone blog: A public policy blog from the TUC

Web links for 2nd September 2010

Posted on 2nd September 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Women and cuts – new report by Ken Livingstone

Women in London will face a disproportionate share of public spending cuts, according to a new report, published today by Ken Livingston. The cuts in benefits and tax credits for families and children, the assault on Housing Benefit and the switch to uprating by the Consumer Price Index will all affect women disproportionately.
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Posted on 1st September 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Hague says human rights are key to our foreign policy – Telegraph

Bouncing back from recent leaks suggesting that William Hague was downgrading human rights work at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, this article stresses his commitment to human rights, and affirms that issues will be raised with allies and opponents. But what it doesn't say is just as instructive. Like the previous Labour Government, Hague says that the coalition will speak out – but will they act? Will trade policy reflect our commitment to human rights, or arms trading, or development? Speaking out about human rights abuses is absolutely right, and welcome. But making abuse of human rights pay would be even better – and slightly more likely to have an impact.

Posted on 26th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

ARC-Defeating the Deficit

ARC is the Association of Revenue and Collection. It's part of the civil service union, the FDA. They have launched a campaign to press the obvious point that reducing numbers at HMRC will lead to a fall in tax income.
Andrew Mitchell soothes charities’ fears over planned DFID cuts

NGOs have expressed serious concerns about reports suggesting DFID was dropping many of the commitments made by the previous Government. Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell has been working hard to dispel that suggestion.

Posted on 25th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Faisal Islam on Economics – Budget: time to admit poorest hit hardest?

Faisal Islam documents the IFS's defence against Nick Clegg's criticisms of their evidence

Posted on 24th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Institute for New Economic Thinking

Lots of heavyweight progressive economists are involved in this wonkfest – hat tip Duncan

Posted on 23rd August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Posted on 20th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Posted on 13th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

What is happening on global bank taxes? Robin Hood reports from the frontline

Oxfam's Max Lawson gives a roundup of the prospects for some of the different bank tax ideas currently on the table.
ICO defends privacy interest over benefit crackdown

wiredgov reports on the Information Commissioner's concerns that the Government's benefits crackdown plans might be a snoop too far for data protection rules.

Posted on 12th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Letters: The benefits of chasing tax dodgers | Politics | The Guardian

Interesting responses to the Prime Minister's views on benefit fraud from Tax Research and Community Links

Posted on 11th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

Early signs suggest Osborne’s gamble is not paying off

Tony Dolphin on Left Foot Forward looks at the strategy of sacrificing public sector demand in the hope that the private sector ond exports will take the strain. It doesn't seem to be working.

Posted on 9th August 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

The Saving Challenge – from the Sherwood Treasury

Robin Hood (he of the Tax) has had a clever wheeze. Wonder where he got the idea for this ‘consultation site’, looking for people’s thoughts on ways to bring in more money, rather than ways to cut more spending? Why not take a minute or two to chuck in your own 2pworth?
Will the Labour market take a turn for the worse this week?

Over at Left Foot Forward, Richard has a post suggesting that the medium-term prospects for employment don’t look so good.
The coalition’s cuts: three different cases

Richard has a post on Liberal Conspiracy, rounding up news on the impact of recent public service cuts.

Posted on 11th July 2010 by ToUChstoneblog

The coalition’s economic strategy will reduce growth and cut jobs and support for the unemployed

Nicola has a guest post at LabourList, looking at what the Government’s economic policy to date may mean for the health of the UK labour market.
The Independent View: Child poverty

Richard has a guest post on Lib Dem Voice: “In 1999, the government announced that it meant to end child poverty by 2020. Making progress towards that objective is now the responsibility of the Coalition; how well is it likely to do?”