News updates - from the web

A round up of relevant news items, selected by Steve Ion of ARMS.

• How long do we have to continue to hear such so called solutions, either this or a social care increase in National Insurance? The answer never raised by so called academia is tax the rich. Collect the billions of unpaid taxes for a start. Increase corporation tax and shift the balance of resources from the 1% to the 99%. Sounds a bit repetitive but needs to be said again. Click here.

• Some interesting facts on the history of the state pension and how it works now. but it is an attempt to sell pension insurance. What happened to simply making sure the state pension become a living wage? Click here.

• Exercise gives your brain a boost. Click here.

• Interesting concept that clearly needs more work, but good to see the intergenerational input. Click here.

• Excellent article which clearly demonstrates the impact on health of good housing. Click here.

Hitting the phones at Jack Jones House

If the 1% pay cap had been imposed on MPs,
they would receive £6832 less now.

Merseyside ARMS members, myself, Steve Ion and Steve Hughes hit the phones recently reminding members to vote in the strike ballot.

Based on the responses of the members we spoke to, we can report overwhelming support for the proposed action and, where members declined to say which way the voted, they had returned their ballot paper.

Encouraging, but no time for complacency. As many members as possible should hit the phones and speak to the shop floor. The members appreciate the time given to contact them.

Tony Mulhearn

ARMS Mersey

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P.S. A message received today from the PCS NWRC in Liverpool:

Firstly thanks to all of you who have volunteered to participate in phone banking thus far. This is just a brief reminder that we are still looking for volunteers to participate in phone banking for the forthcoming weekend and week.

Phone banking will take place this weekend, Saturday 14h July from 10:00am and the office will be open until 2:00pm. If you can spare some time to help please contact NW Regional Office as soon as possible via e-mail: NWRC@pcs.org.uk and let us know what time you are available to come in to help.

Phone banking is also continuing on weekdays up to 7:00pm each evening until Wednesday 18th July inclusive. At this stage in the ballot we need to make all efforts to contact as many members as possible, so if you are able to give some time to help the campaign, please email the NW Regional Office.

The more reps and members help with the campaign, the greater the likelihood of our success, so please consider sparing an hour or so to assist.

Full instructions, together with a script will be provided and a full time officer will be on hand to assist you with any questions you have. Reasonable travel costs will also be met.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

PCS North West Regional Centre

The wit and wisdom of Esther McVey

She said the rise of food banks was 'positive' and 'expected'.

She said benefit sanctions 'help' people find work and compared claimants to school children.

She vowed to take 300,000 people's disability benefits, saying 'bodies heal'.

She said jobseekers would be sanctioned for refusing a zero-hours contract.

She said there was 'no robust evidence' that linked soaring food bank use to welfare cuts.

She repeatedly defended the Bedroom Tax.

And finally: she said 'success isn't anything to do with luck'.

From the Daily Mirror. For the full article, click here.