Blog
False Economy research team launches independent news site
12 Apr 2016: Sentinel News will cover similar ground to False Economy, looking at the impact of funding cuts to health, education, care services and benefits
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Barnet careworkers fight pay cut with strike action this week on 24 & 25 February
23 Feb 2015: Low paid careworkers at private company Your Choice Barnet strike again this week in protest at a harsh 9.5% pay cut.
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Government cuts to legal aid weren’t based on evidence, reveals Public Accounts Committee
16 Feb 2015: The committee's key finding is that while the government rapidly reduced spending on civil legal aid, it has “introduced…[these]…major changes on the basis of no evidence in many areas…”
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How 85% of tax and benefit ‘savings’ have been at the expense of women
8 Feb 2015: How JSA demands and benefit cuts indirectly discriminate against women.
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February 14: day of action for the NHS!
2 Feb 2015: 999 Call for the NHS calls for a National Day of Action on Valentine's Day 14 February 2015 to show support for the NHS.
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Focus E15 campaign to lead march against housing crisis
26 Jan 2015: This coming Saturday, (31 January 2015), people from across London will march on City Hall to demand solutions to the housing crisis and better housing.
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West Hendon estate residents protest today against eviction and social cleansing
22 Jan 2015: Our West Hendon campaigners and residents protest today at the loss of their homes to private housing.
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Growing funding crisis in local government threatens public services
18 Jan 2015: A growing funding crisis in local government is threatening the future of local public services in England.
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Join the day of action against Maximus
15 Jan 2015: A national day of action has been called on March 2 against Maximus, the company which will take over the despised Work Capability Assessments.
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Demand an end to the housing crisis: join the March for Homes
11 Jan 2015: Join the Focus E15 mothers and campaigners, unions and housing groups across London as they call for housing for all.
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Campaign to save the Independent Living Fund goes to parliament today! #saveILF
6 Jan 2015: Join the fight against government plans to close the ILF - a fund for extra carer hours for disabled people with the highest support needs.
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Living standards boost needed as average wage fell £500 in 2014
31 Dec 2014: The average full-time employee wage has fallen in real terms by £2,509 since 2010 – about £50 a week.
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Video: the cost of a privatised Christmas! Please share
19 Dec 2014: We Own It and Corporate Watch have been investigating how much worse off you are because of privatisation.
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#SaveILF: join the mass action to stop the closure of the vital Independent Living Fund
17 Dec 2014: Disabled People Against Cuts is calling for a mass action at the House of Commons at the start of next year to save the Independent Living Fund.
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New evidence that private firms are taking over more and more of our NHS
11 Dec 2014: The British Medical Journal has published new evidence to show how privatisation of NHS services is continuing to intensify under this government.
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URGENT ACTION: #SaveILF judgement due 10am Monday 8 December 2014
5 Dec 2014: The Independent Living Fund is used by disabled people with the highest support needs to employ the personal assistants they need to lead independent lives. A court decision on government plans to close the fund is due on Monday.
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This discrimination against new mothers at work must end
2 Dec 2014: A new TUC report suggests that we’ve still got a way to go in terms of supporting women to have children and to continue to work.
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Tonight: start the Hashtag Hijack to save the Independent Living Fund #SaveILF
27 Nov 2014: The #SaveILF Campaign is touring the most popular UK hashtags to highlight this attack on disabled people's right to independent living.
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£1.5 billion of cuts to benefits for pregnant women and babies
23 Nov 2014: The benefit cuts have hit families when they need support most and when poverty can do permanent damage to children.
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Fees have failed - march on parliament to demand free education!
17 Nov 2014: On November 19, thousands of students will march on Parliament to demand an end to tuition fees and education cuts as well as the abolition of student debt.
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No more deaths from fuel poverty: join the day of protest 28 November
12 Nov 2014: On the day the government reveals how many people died last year from the effects of fuel poverty, demand ‘No More Deaths from Fuel Poverty: Energy Rights Now!’
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Monday 10 November: join the Barnet debate on the housing crisis
9 Nov 2014: An open forum to discuss possible solutions to the current housing situation and the actions to take next.
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Equal pay? Not by a long way…
5 Nov 2014: One in four women working full-time earns less than the living wage, compared to one in six men. The situation is even worse for those in part time work.
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A bad winter could be catastrophic for already-stretched accident and emergency departments
31 Oct 2014: Accident and emergency departments are already failing to meet four-hour targets to see and admit, discharge or transfer patients.
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Wednesday: rally to stop changes to Access to Work 12pm-1pm Old Palace Yard
28 Oct 2014: Join the protest against changes to Access to Work that are driving deaf and disabled people out of employment and undermining employability.
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New film with the Daily Mirror: Save the Independent Living Fund #SaveILF
22 Oct 2014: Today at 12.30pm, there is a vigil to support disabled people who are fighting the government in court for the Independent Living Fund. Watch our film and join the vigil at the Royal Courts of Justice.
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Saturday 18 October: Britain Needs A Pay Rise! Join the march and rally
17 Oct 2014: Join the march and rally in London on Saturday 18 October 2014, to call for an economic recovery that works for all - not just those at the top.
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Fuel Poverty Action to launch the Energy Bill of Rights
10 Oct 2014: With winter on the way, action against energy companies and soaring energy prices becomes even more important.
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Why the Independent Living Fund battle matters so much
3 Oct 2014: The plan to shut the ILF is at the core of the government's callous attacks on disabled people everywhere.
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Britain needs a payrise march and rally - book a coach in your area!
26 Sep 2014: Plenty of coaches have been added already - keep watching the map as we add more!
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New short film with the Daily Mirror: Save the Independent Living Fund! #SaveILF
21 Sep 2014: Disabled people talk about their right to live independent lives and the role that Independent Living Fund support plays in that. The government must not be allowed to close the ILF.
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Join the #FocusE15 mothers for their campaign anniversary this Sunday!
19 Sep 2014: The Focus E15 campaigners are inviting people to join a day of fun and music on the Carpenters Estate in Stratford this Sunday.
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Take part in the Boycott Workfare week of action: 4 to 12 October 2014
14 Sep 2014: Forcing people to work for free by threatening to remove their benefits is unfair, unjust and wrong. Tell the companies and charities who profit from this exploitative regime what you think of them!
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Unmasking austerity and organising for new challenges: Dexter Whitfield
12 Sep 2014: Austerity measures will continue for many more years: cuts to services, jobs and wages will not automatically be restored. Organising fightback is as important as it ever was.
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Day of protest this week: End Bedroom Tax! No Sanctions for Claimants!
9 Sep 2014: This Thursday, the Anti-Bedroom Tax and Benefit Justice Campaign is holding a day of protest: Say no to claimant sanctions, bedroom tax and benefit cuts.
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Britain Needs A Pay Rise - 18 October march and rally
4 Sep 2014: Book your coach seat now via False Economy's interactive travel map.
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FE exclusive in the Independent: tax credits money clawed back from Britain’s poor under new powers
1 Sep 2014: Since tax credits go to those on lower incomes, it can often be impossible for people to find the money to repay.
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False Economy exclusive: Campaigners say low income households cannot afford council tax charges
27 Aug 2014: Local authorities were unable to collect up to 40% of council tax due from low-income households that had the charge imposed on them for the first time last year.
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Court case to fight the closure of the Independent Living Fund set for October #SaveILF
24 Aug 2014: The ILF is the fund severely disabled people use to pay for the extra care hours they need to live independent lives.
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Rail fares rise shows public ownership is the only option for rail
19 Aug 2014: Rail fares are due to rise again in January 2015, with the rate to be announced on 19 August 2014 - that's today!
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The 999 march for the #NHS begins!
16 Aug 2014: From August 16 to September 6, campaigners are marching from Jarrow to London following in the footsteps of the Jarrow Crusade of 1936.
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The unreported national scandal of benefit cuts and delays
12 Aug 2014: An extract from a very good piece on the ilegal.co.uk and Disabled People Against Cuts sites about the real impact of benefit cuts.
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Universal credit: 300,000 people a month will be affected by the five-week wait
10 Aug 2014: How long could you go without any income? Under Universal Credit rules, most people will face a wait of more than five weeks before they get any money.
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Second court case to save the Independent Living Fund will go ahead
7 Aug 2014: The Independent Living Fund is the fund used by severely disabled people to pay for the extra personal assistants they need to live independent lives.
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The full impact of cuts disabled people face
3 Aug 2014: Disability: we now know that this government have harmed the very people they promised us they would protect.
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August: join the anti fracking action camp in Blackpool
30 Jul 2014: This summer stand up for social, environmental and economic justice - August 14 - 20th.
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Tax justice tour August 9: find out more about fighting tax dodging businesses!
27 Jul 2014: Join Action Aid on August 9 on a tax justice tour as they talk and walk people through many of the ways big business gets away with paying less tax than the rest of us.
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Part of an organisation? Pledge to Boycott Workfare now!
22 Jul 2014: Already nearly 400 voluntary sector organisations have pledged to Keep Volunteering Voluntary and over 20 councils have pledged to avoid workfare too.
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The Saving Our Safety Net campaign - and the DWP’s response….
17 Jul 2014: The Saving Our Safety Net campaign is up and running - and the DWP's response is already inadequate...
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DWP Unspun - a new website from False Economy
14 Jul 2014: Everything the government doesn't want you to know about work and benefits.
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Public sector strikes on 10 July: solidarity!
9 Jul 2014: This week’s strike by public sector workers is a manifestation of the anger and frustration about sustained attacks on pay and pensions.
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UK Government breaches international human rights law in treatment of disabled people
8 Jul 2014: A report published this week finds the UK government in breach of its legal obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of disabled people.
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More strike action on the 10th and beyond: firefighters to strike across 8 days
6 Jul 2014: Firefighters in England and Wales will strike on eight consecutive days this month in protest at unacceptable, unworkable, unrealistic government attacks on firefighters’ pensions.
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Save the Independent Living Fund: join the party and picnic this Friday!
2 Jul 2014: Following their successful action at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, Disabled People Against Cuts continue with their fight to save the all-important Independent Living Fund with a Fourth of July picnic this Friday!
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A talk on NHS cuts, privatisation and the politics of cancer in an age of austerity
30 Jun 2014: This week, writer, journalist and political activist Mike Marqusee will give a talk on the politics of cancer and how it relates to NHS cuts and privatisation.
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Help UK Uncut boot out Boots this Saturday!
26 Jun 2014: Boots have dodged £1.3bn in Tax since 2007. That’s £1.3bn of our money that could be spent on safe homes, schools, hospitals, women’s services, legal aid and keeping our NHS public.
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Job prospects for youngsters outside full-time education are deteriorating rapidly
23 Jun 2014: Young people not in full-time education are now less likely to be in work than people of other ages - and their prospects are declining
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Investigating Companies: a do-it-yourself handbook from Corporate Watch
19 Jun 2014: In the battle against privatisation, learn how to find about private companies' details and all you need to know about company law, ownership and financing.
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Save the Independent Living Fund: get your MP to the House of Commons Debate on Wednesday
15 Jun 2014: The future of the Independent Living Fund - the fund that severely disabled people use to pay for extra carer hours so they can live independently in their own homes - will be debated this Wednesday 18 June from 11 to 11.30am.
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Vodafone stores around the country to be targeted by nationwide UK Uncut protests
11 Jun 2014: Protest group Focus E15 Mothers to join in national day of action to highlight cuts to social housing
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New legal challenge to government’s decision to close the Independent Living Fund
9 Jun 2014: Last year, the government tried to close the Independent Living Fund. The court of appeal overturned that decision. The government is trying again - so disabled people are going back to court.
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July 4: Independent Living Day party and picnic
5 Jun 2014: On 4 July, Disabled People Against Cuts will hold a day of protest and action as part of the fight to save the Independent Living Fund
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Flagship workfare scheme is delayed again following voluntary sector opposition
2 Jun 2014: The government's community work placement workfare scheme is in trouble as hundreds of voluntary sector organisations pledge to keep volunteering voluntary
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Exclusive: Coalition’s pursuit turns nasty as debt collectors hound poorest over tax credits
29 May 2014: Our joint investigation with The Independent has uncovered the coalition’s increasingly forceful methods of pursuing more than 4.7 million cases of overpaid tax credits.
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ILF recipient Gabriel Pepper: we must save the Independent Living Fund
29 May 2014: Today, Independent Living Fund recipient Gabriel Pepper gives a speech to the TUC disabled workers' conference explaining why the government must not be allowed to close the ILF.
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Justice for sale: the impact of privatisation and cost-cutting on criminal justice
25 May 2014: The TUC has launched a speak up for Justice campaign (www.speakupforjustice.org), together with trades unions with members in the justice sector.
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Time the DWP explained how it will now adjust Atos WCAs for mental health claimants
21 May 2014: Join the vigil to highlight the DWP's responsibilities to mental health claimants going through the work capability assessment
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UK Uncut return to Vodafone
18 May 2014: This follows wide anger at news of Gary Barlow's tax dodge: expect to take action against the mobile company in June.
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Second day of strike action to support the Land Registry
15 May 2014: PCS members working for the Land Registry continue with their two-day strike against privatisation, job cuts and office closures.
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Join @fuelpovaction for ‘Bin British Gas: Put Power in Public Hands
11 May 2014: Join Fuel Poverty Action for a creative protest against poverty profiteers British Gas at their Annual General Meeting on Monday
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Why I’m sick of #Serco: join the protest on 8 May!
6 May 2014: Stephen Struthers from We Own It explains why Serco is now too big to fail and why he's sick of it:
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Save the Independent Living Fund: join the protest at the DWP!
4 May 2014: "We’d Rather Go to Jail Than Die in a Nursing Home": disabled people prepare to battle again to save the ILF
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Most workers on zero hours contracts earn less than the living wage
30 Apr 2014: Many workers on these type of contracts are poorly paid, have no regular income and are at risk of exploitation.
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Sick of Serco? Join the protest with We Own It on 8 May
27 Apr 2014: Serco is kicking off the outsourcing AGM season with its meeting on Thursday 8 May. Join We Own It to tell Serco that they're part of the problem, not the solution.
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Patients occupy threatened mental health clinic - send messages of support!
25 Apr 2014: A seven-week occupation of a Cambridge NHS mental health clinic in Britain threatened with closure is having more success than past campaigning. This is the way forward.
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Save the Independent Living Fund - join the campaign!
21 Apr 2014: The Independent Living Fund is used by severely disabled people to pay for the extra carer hours they need to live independent lives. The government wants to close the fund. The fight to save it is on.
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Our Guardian latest: NHS group considers charges for crutches and neck braces
17 Apr 2014: Is this the beginning of the end for the free-at-the-point-of-use NHS?
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“A Tale of Bob in Barnet” - Barnet Unison video on the perils of privatisation
16 Apr 2014: For six years, Barnet Unison has been fighting Barnet council's plans to mass outsource council services to Capita. The union branch has made this video to show the challenges facing the union and its members.
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Self-employment accounts for 44% of the net rise in employment since mid- 2010
15 Apr 2014: Pensioners, part-time workers and ‘odd-jobbers’ are the fastest growing groups of Britain’s new self-employed workforce.
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Barnet careworkers in their own words: how a 9.5% pay cut will destroy services
13 Apr 2014: Your Choice Barnet, the company which run care services for disabled adults for Barnet Council, cuts careworkers' wages by 9.5%.
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New report offers an alternative to failing Atos ESA tests and out-of-work sickness support
9 Apr 2014: A report published today (9th April 2014) aims to kickstart a significant new debate about the failure of sickness and disability support in the UK
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George Eliot Hospital: an anti-privatisation success story
7 Apr 2014: Patients, campaigners and union members have been celebrating the success of their campaign to keep George Eliot Hospital from private companies.
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Our latest research in the Independent: councils running out of funds to cover bedroom tax
5 Apr 2014: The bedroom tax has resulted in thousands of people being “driven into destitution” as councils run out of the emergency funds set aside to rescue those worst affected.
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Disabled people and the cuts: the statistics and the stories
3 Apr 2014: As newspapers run an alleged case of someone fraudulently claiming benefits, let's remember some other people who’ve been in the newspapers recently.
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Our research with the Guardian: Poorest homes face £120 council tax rise as safety net goes
31 Mar 2014: A joint investigation by the Guardian and False Economy found that from April, 83 local authorities are reducing protection for vulnerable residents.
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Our latest research: GPs now in a majority on less than a third of CCG boards
30 Mar 2014: Pulse Magazine reports False Economy's latest research - numbers which show that GP representation on CCG boards has substantially decreased.
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Insulted, exploited and insecure: young people deserve Fair Pay
29 Mar 2014: Students' single biggest concern for their future: the job market.
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Support the teachers’ strike: 26 March 2014
25 Mar 2014: "I’m striking on Wednesday, March 26 to indicate just how desperate the situation is for the concept of an equal, universal education in this country."
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People’s inquiry into the NHS: stop cash-driven closures and attacks on services
23 Mar 2014: The People's Inquiry into London's NHS raises serious concerns about pressured NHS services in the capital.
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Budget 2014: winners and losers
20 Mar 2014: Treasury analysis shows people in the three bottom deciles lose. All the deciles that gain are above median income.
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How working people are priced out of justice
17 Mar 2014: Excessive fees are pricing workers out of employment tribunal justice.
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Last chance for ESA evidence
16 Mar 2014: You can still fill in the survey for Spartacus' response to the Work and Pension Committee request for evidence on ESA and Work Capability Assessments.
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Exclusive: How councils pay millions for discredited lie detector tests on claimants
10 Mar 2014: It says a lot about council outsourcing – and the benefits-bashing agenda – that this pseudo-scientific gimmick is now making its way in through the back door
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“A future without the ILF is terrifying:” government’s new attack on the Independent Living Fund
7 Mar 2014: "To callously strip disabled people of their most basic freedoms cannot by any reasonable person be considered a promotion of equality."
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Stop workfare in its tracks: take action with Boycott Workfare from 29 March to 6 April
6 Mar 2014: New and even harsher conditionality is coming to people on JSA. Join the fightback. Workfare does not help people find jobs and being unemployed is not a crime.
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Hospital closure clause: the toxic addition to the Care Bill
3 Mar 2014: Email your MP now and help spread the word about this threat to our local NHS hospitals.
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The Fair Tax mark could help close UK’s tax gap
2 Mar 2014: The Fair Tax Mark has been developed by a team of tax justice campaigners, including Richard Murphy, and experts in corporate responsibility and ethical consumerism.
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Join the workfare action on 1 March
27 Feb 2014: Boycott workfare invites other groups to pay a visit to your local store too and put the pressure on for Peacocks to pay its staff!
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There’s still time to persuade your MP to attend the WOW debate on Thursday
24 Feb 2014: The WOW petition calls for a cumulative impact assessment of the impact of "welfare reform" on sick and disabled people. Tell your MP to be there!
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Video from the protest: Focus E15 mums take their petition for social housing to City Hall
23 Feb 2014: Boris wasn't in. The women left him a signed greeting card as well.
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