Every civil servant can tell you stories of ministers who are a bit demanding. I’ve had a few of those stories myself. But sometimes the same is true of civil servants. None more so than Sir William Beveridge. Back in…
Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on today’s unemployment statistics, said: “Last month Chris Grayling told us how the labour market was stabilising, but today’s figures now confirm we have an unemployment emergency. “Unemployment has…
Here’s the link to my article for PoliticsHome on why the House of Lords was right to stop the government in its tracks, as it tried to stop a very basic line of British decency with its welfare changes….Here’s the…
With apologies for the delay in posting, here’s the link to my Guardian article on how we should celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Beveridge report, this year.
Here’s the link to the debate I led for Labour on this week’s terrible unemployment news
Following my Opposition Day debate on living standards, here’s the link to news of my visit to a Sure Start in Islington with Ken Livingston, to talk to parents about the squeeze on childcare. Everything we heard confirms my worst…
This government’s failed economic policies are hitting families who are losing help with childcare, seeing tax credits cut, and face a further squeeze next year.
Here’s the link to my Today programme interview on youth jobs, http://tinyurl.com/cr4386k, and below is the transcript Liam Byrne –Youth Contract BBC Radio 4 Today Friday, 25 November 2011 Speakers: Liam Byrne John Humphrys …
25 November 2011 Dear Nick I am writing following today’s announcement from the Government on a ‘Youth Contract’, which includes employer subsidies as well as additional work experience placements and apprenticeship incentives. With more than one million young people currently…
Here’s the link to my Guardian comment is free op ed today….How the squeezed middle need a different kind of welfare state. My cif column. http://tinyurl.com/8yakejo
One of the biggest decisions we’ve got to take as a city this year is whether to have an elected mayor. Having thought about it a lot, I think we should. Why? Because there’s a good chance the government will hand…
For those interested in these things, here’s the of the Birmingham Labour Party’s submission to the government’s consultation on mayoral powers. We believe if the city does choose to vote Yes, these are the powers a mayor would need to…
For those interested, here is some fresh research from the House of Commons library on the relationship between elected mayors and elected Police & Crime Commissioners. As a result of a Government amendment to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility…
Here’s the link to my article in this week’s Birmingham Post, arguing that the city should be ambitious in its bid for the most the powerful mayor in Birmingham – some-one who can help the city take control of its…
I was delighted to join Lord Mayor and local Councillor Anita Ward in celebrating the grant of £300,000 from Veolia to the St Margaret’s Church Trust in Ward End. The money will be used to turn the church into a…
Over the summer I surveyed thousands of Hodge Hill residents on the future of our young people. We have taken the time to write up carefully what everyone has said to us because this is now top of my list of…
Last week I invited hundreds of local community groups, social entrepreneurs and community activists to meet with charitable and lottery funders at Norton Hall. Following the successful event last year I want to get more groups bidding for, and receiving,…
All Saints Church, Shard End has organised a Remembrance Service Church Service, March and Cenotaph Service for Sunday 13th November 2011. This is the day people across the nation pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Service…
I recently held one of my regular street surgeries in Beaufort Avenue. I passed residents issues to the ward commitee for action. These included: – Damage to grass verges from cars parking on them – Petty crime and drug dealing – Speeding…