20 October 2016

By Declan Owens, Socialist Lawyer

A Manifesto for Labour Law: towards a comprehensive revision of workers’ rights, published by the Institute of Employment Rights, 2016

Workers who read the Institute of Employment Rights’ Manifesto will recognise its diagnosis of the problem of labour law in the UK and it is likely that they will agree the recommended solution: a comprehensive revision of workers’ rights. Workers’ rights in the UK are already subject to a framework of law that is the most restrictive in the western world, a grim reality proudly endorsed by Tony Blair on the eve of his election in 1997 and not effectively addressed by any UK government since. Nevertheless, the Manifesto recognises that the world of work has changed and the law must follow.

20 October 2016

By Declan Owens, Socialist Lawyer

Access to Justice: Exposing the Myths, Andrew Moretta, published by the Institute of Employment Rights, 2016

Readers of Socialist Lawyer are aware of the problems in relation to their clients obtaining access to justice in their various practice areas and the devastating impact of the legal aid under New Labour, the Coalition Government and the Tories. One of the Coalition’s most far reaching reforms was the introduction of fees in the employment tribunals in 2013 (except for Northern Ireland) and the removal of employment law from the scope of legal aid, which had a major impact on law centres and firms. Andrew Moretta provides the reader with a clear, concise and detailed critique of how access to justice for workers in the United Kingdom has been gorged and outlines why the myths propagated by the Tories and businesses need to be exposed.

20 October 2016

Delivery company Hermes will be investigated by HMRC after drivers reported being misclassified as self employed to chairman of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee and Labour MP Frank Fields.

19 October 2016

Research by the House of Commons Library has warned that workers' rights won through EU courts could be challenged in British courts and overturned if the government does not act to incorporate existing case law into legislation.

19 October 2016

Self-employment has boomed by 45% since 2001-02, but earnings among this section of the workforce are lower than they were 20 years ago.

19 October 2016

Trade Minister Liam Fox has agreed to sign a controversial trade deal between the EU and Canada – the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) – before MPs were given the opportunity to debate it in the Commons.