Pay and pensions

Queen’s Speech: a missed opportunity

8 May 2013 | Patrick Nolan

Today’s announcement of the government’s legislative programme fails to address major long-term funding issues. Ministers need to reconsider the ‘triple lock’ on pensions and the ring fencing of the NHS budget Read more

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Infrastructure: a simple solution

15 March 2013 | Duncan Weldon

Rather than focusing on cunning infrastructure plans, the chancellor should listen to the chorus of voices calling for a capital-spending, debt-funded stimulus Read more

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Squeezed Middle: a wake-up call

13 March 2013 | Sophia Parker

In the UK, low and middle income families face flatlining or falling living standards. But the so-called ‘squeezed middle’ is under even greater pressure in the US. What can we learn? Read more

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Council pay: an offer they can refuse

25 February 2013 | Heather Wakefield

Pay bargaining in councils will be at breaking point if nothing more is put on the table beyond the current ‘two-option’ offer. Retaining the goodwill of staff is critical to the very survival of local government Read more

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Never had it so squeezed

13 February 2013 | Matthew Whittaker

Even in the boom years, a large proportion of the population never shared the proceeds of growth. That’s even less likely today as austerity really hits home Read more

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Civil service: glass half full?

29 November 2012 | James Page

Despite drastic cutbacks and downsizing across Whitehall, civil service staff morale is higher than you might think. So what does it all mean? Read more

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Regional pay: a false economy

7 November 2012 | Neil Foster

As MPs debate regional pay in the public sector, it is important to appreciate the effect this could also have on the private sector. Local economies, particularly in the North of England, could suffer badly Read more

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Local leadership on the living wage

5 November 2012 | John Tizard

Some local authorities have joined the campaign for a living wage – but why not all of them? It could give councils an opportunity for tangible community leadership on an issue of great concern to their citizens Read more

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The pay increase that wasn’t

17 October 2012 | Alastair Hatchett

Figures released today from the ONS suggest that public sector earnings are rising faster than those in the private sector. In fact, the reverse is true and the numbers are a statistical quirk Read more

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Who cares about the care workers?

8 October 2012 | Heather Wakefield

The pay and working conditions of our predominantly female care workforce are already a national scandal. Cuts to council budgets can only make matters worse  Read more

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