News Brief 10/01/2014

Submitted by sglenister on Thu, 09/01/2014 - 15:31

This week authored by Laura Ryder

In the news this week

As we enter 2014 and talks of more welfare cuts are on the way, while environmental agencies battle to save various communities from the impact of recent extreme weather conditions, it seems that austerity and inequality will continue to be the major issue in the year to come.

In brighter news, as some of you may be aware, at the end of February the IER will be celebrating its 25-year anniversary. We would like to take a moment to thank you for all of your support throughout the past 25 years and hope that it will continue. We will be celebrating our quarter-century anniversary throughout the year through a variety of events and offers and we hope you will join us.

We've gone into more depth on a wide range of stories this week. Click through on the stories below to read more.

New on the Coalition Timeline

Click here to see the Coalition Timeline

Public Sector

Public sector targeted in cuts once again (07/01/2014)

Health and Safety

Govt ignores experts to further undermine H&S (09/01/2014)

Increasing Vulnerability in the workplace

Cameron pushes 'benefit tourism' myth too far? (08/01/2014)

Trade Union Rights

Human Rights Act could be replaced, Tory says (10/01/2014)
Govt u-turns on Lobbying Bill, but it's not enough to save trade unions (10/01/2014)

Equality Liverpool –22 January : Book Now!

Click here to book.

Organised by the Institute of Employment Rights and sponsored by NUT North West Region.

This 4th Equalities Conference in the North West brings together an expert panel of speakers to look at the latest issues affecting equality and discrimination at work. A similar programme to the London conference, this event will be accessible to people who don’t want to travel to London.

January 2014 Sale!

Click here to buy.

Due to popular demand, the Christmas offer has been extended until the end of January! So support our charity and put IER on your January sales list while stocks last!

Access to Justice

Consultation on European Human Rights System

By Dan Blackburn

The Council of Europe has launched a consultation on the future of the European human rights system. No-one should be under any illusions as to where this is coming from.Read more…

Barristers express discontent at proposal for legal aid cuts

Summary text Read more…

Labour Migration.

EU Official calls 'Invasion of Foreigners' a populist myth

Top EU official, Viviane Reding has said that the 'invasion of foreigners' is a populist myth and that David Cameron is lying to British voters in order to distract UK citizens from the country's real problems ahead of the 2015 general election. Read more…

Pay and Benefits

George Osborne targets cuts to public welfare and the public sector in speech

It seems yet again that George Osborne is targeting the poor and vulnerable, insisting that £25bn more cuts must be made in 2015.Read more…

Ministers consider outlawing exclusivity on Zero Hour Contracts

Ministers are considering outlawing exclusivity clauses on zero hour contracts, in a faint hearted effort to boost fairness for workers. Read More...

Health and Safety

Latest comments on the third reading of the Mesothelioma

By Jamie Hanley

On January 07, Parliament considered the third reading of the Mesothelioma Bill and so I thought it would be appropriate to update on my last comment, which coincided with the second reading of the Bill.Read more…

Independent review supports HSE – so govt ignores it

Martin Temple, former Director-General of employers' organisation EEF, yesterday (09 January 2014) published his Triennial Review into the HSE, revealing a supportive attitude toward the body. The government, perhaps surprised at the failure of an industry leader to toe the ideological line toward increased privatisation and deregulation, announced it would disregard some of his most important recommendations. Read more...

Equality

Austerity and the pink pound: gaining an in-depth understanding

By Carola Towle

2014 grinds into gear. The first full week starts with George Osborne promising a further £25bn of cuts to public services if the Tories are re-elected, saying the job was "not even half done".Read more…

Trade Union Rights

One hot EU potato. Fresh proposals for the Posted Workers’ Directive.

By LJB Hayes

In December 2013, the long awaited statement on the enforcement of the Posted Workers Directive was published by the European Council. Despite the new efforts and the compromise proposal made by the European Council, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) announced that their concerns have not been fully addressed. The ETUC believe that it is essential to include in legislation the right of members states to place control measures necessary to protect workers' rights and assure fair and equal working conditions.Read more…

Australian Gagging Law thrown out by High Court

By Tim Ayres and Keith Ewing

As the Transparency of Lobbying Bill – the more appropriately named Gagging Bill – continues its passage through the UK Parliament, Keith Ewing highlights how similar proposals introduced in New South Wales, Australia, have been overturned by its High Court. In an IER Briefing late last year, Keith commented on the human rights implications of the UK gagging law. Below he joins Tim Ayres, General Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), in exposing the undemocratic, anti union nature of the successfully challenged Australian legislation. This article first appeared in the Australian press.Read more…

Lobbying Bill still a threat to Freedom of Speech

After a brief pause in developments, the Government now plans to amend the gagging bill to exempt smaller charities ahead of the 2015 general election. This latest u-turn will increase the amount campaigners can spend on the election.

Human rights

Tory proposes removing UK from European Court of Human Rights

At the Tory party conference last year David Cameron announced that he was ready to remove the UK from the European Court of Human Rights.

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IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining

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VIDEOS: Watch the experts

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New publications

Labour migration in hard times: Reforming labour market regulation?

Edited by Bernard Ryan

A collection of papers by the UK's leading experts on labour migration on the exploitation of migrant workers and the need for labour law reform.

Justice Deferred: a critical guide to the Coalition's employment tribunal reforms

By David Renton and Anna Macey

Justice Deferred maps out in a concise, easy to read, accessible style and language, the ideologically driven path being pursued by the Coalition Government. It provides a critical guide to changes in employment tribunal rules and procedures.

Reconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for collective bargaining

By Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC

This publication presents an evidence-based policy proposal for the state encouragement of collective bargaining, and particularly sectoral bargaining, as a tried-and-tested means of reducing income inequality and stimulating the sustainable recovery of a strong and resilient economy.

Labour Law Highlights 1013

By Rebecca Tuck, Betsan Criddle & Stuart Brittenden

SPECIAL OFFER – 4 for the price of 1! Buy Labour Law Highlights 2013 and get Labour Law Highlights 2012, 2011, and 2010 for free! Already got past copies of Labour Law Highlights? You can still buy this year’s copy on its own for the usual price of £8.