Latest news with #Labour-affiliated
The Herald Scotland
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Starmer faces mounting pressure to abolish child benefit cap
The report, complied for Labour-affiliated pressure group Compass, is also backed by new research commissioned by dozens of charities, including CPAG, Save the Children and Barnardo's. It found that almost three quarters (73%) believed that all children 'deserve a good childhood, even if it costs the government more to support families that need it'. Some 71% also agreed that children must be prioritised in government investment, according to the survey. The Herald joined with 23 of the country's leading charities to urge the Prime Minister to abolish the cap, warning the policy, which prevents families from claiming child tax credit and universal credit for more than two children, is 'one of the most significant drivers of child poverty in the UK today,' adding: 'It punishes children for circumstances entirely beyond their control'. It has been estimated that 250,000 children across the UK out of poverty overnight. Read more: Charities warn Swinney's child poverty plan is not 'new' The Herald unites with 23 charities on child poverty push Disabled children 'plunged into poverty by damaging UK cuts' Child poverty inaction is 'deliberate act of state harm' The Prime Minister, and his officials, have yet to respond to last month's open letter. As the UK Government looks to publish its child poverty taskforce in the coming months, it has also faced calls for introduce legally binding targets to reduce child poverty. Legally binding targets already exist in Scotland and, backed by politicians across the political sphere, means the Scottish Government has committed to reducing absolute child poverty to under 10% by 2030 and absolute child poverty to under 5% - although interim targets were recently missed. A total of 4.5 million children in the UK are reported to live in poverty – a record high at 31%. Rates are expected to rise further in every part of the UK – except for Scotland by 2029. Alison Garnham, the chief executive of CPAG, said: 'Almost a year after the election, the government's manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty remains hugely popular. Read more: Herald urges Starmer to scrap two child benefit cap The Herald unites with 23 charities on child poverty push 'A child poverty strategy that increases living standards and improves life chances will make the crucial difference to children, their families and the country alike. The public stands in support of the 4.5 million children in the UK living in poverty and now it's time for government to act – starting by scrapping the two-child limit.' It is understood UK ministers were privately ruling out scrapping this cap, with the Guardian reporting last month that insiders said: 'If they still think we're going to scrap the cap then they're listening to the wrong people. 'We're simply not going to find a way to do that. The cap is popular with key voters, who see it as a matter of fairness.' Meanwhile, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has committed to mitigating the two-child benefit cap by April 2026, at an estimated cost of £200 million per year. The UK Government has been asked for comment.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trade union boss warns Reeves against trading workers rights for economic growth
A senior trade union boss has warned Rachel Reeves that the Labour government will face stiff opposition if she tries to water down workers rights or suppress pay rises. Steve Wright, the recently elected general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), told The Independent he was alarmed by Keir Starmer invoking the policies of Margaret Thatcher in describing his approach to economic growth. The Labour-affiliated FBU played a key role in ensuring that the party leadership stuck to its promise to include a workers' rights package in its manifesto under previous general secretary and former TUC president Matt Wrack. But following Ms Reeves speech this week on economic growth, in which she backed a third runway at Heathrow, and confirmation by her and the prime minister that all policies will need to deliver economic growth, alarm bells have rung over the potential impact on workers' rights. Mr Wright said: "The FBU welcomes the chancellor's assurance that there will be no scaling back of the Labour government's employment rights legislation. 'However, it was concerning to see the prime minister use a media intervention about the government's growth plans to invoke the policies of the Thatcher government. 'The FBU was at the forefront of the fight back against Thatcher's attacks on workers' rights and jobs, all of which were continued by successive Tory governments up until and including that led by Rishi Sunak.' Sir Keir yesterday came under pressure from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch over the union reform and workers' rights package in the employment bill as she claimed it would undermine economic growth. But Mr Wright insisted: 'The full and swift delivery of the Labour government's employment rights Bill is critical to growing the economy. 'A properly paid workforce that is better protected against unfair dismissal and has more secure employment is critical to delivering greater growth. 'With the bill due to pass through parliament in a matter of weeks, the government must ensure the legislation on workers' rights is in place much faster than the planned timeframe of autumn 2026.' Claims have been made that Ms Reeves had previously told business leaders she would consider allowing zero-hours contracts to continue. But Mr Wright insisted that the 'exploitative' contracts and additional protection against unfair dismissal must come into force by this summer at the very latest. He said: 'The full delivery of the Labour manifesto commitment on workers' rights must be reflected in substantial pay rises for firefighters and all other workers.' With the possibility that Ms Reeves will need to find savings in public expenditure, he also sent a warning over the potential impact on pay. He said: 'The statutory living wage must also be increased to well over £15 per hour by the time the employment rights bill becomes law. 'The Labour government will only achieve its ambitious growth plans if it acts swiftly to place more money in the pockets of workers in secure jobs.'
