Gail Cartmail blog

Cash, capitalism and Christmas?

Grocery shopping with young in tow must be a headache for many low and middle income families. Halloween merchandise is jostling for space alongside bonfire night and Christmas items for sale. 

I recall last year that a Christmas saving scheme went bust and wonder how people will cope this year. My union Unite has analysed the impact of a two year pay freeze, inflation and other cost of living increases on the income of a teaching assistant. I was shocked to see the result - a real term cut of £1,806 over two years.

Public sector pension? See how much you might lose ..

The TUC public sector pension calculator is now available for all to see:www.unitetheunion.org/pensionscalculator

As unions ballot members over the coming weeks and prepare for the first TUC Day of Action on 30 November, it will be possible for scheme members to see for themselves what is at stake.

Child poverty trap

The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimate that 400,000 children will fall into relative poverty over the lifetime of this Parliament.

Any claim by the coalition government that their austerity measures are fair and proportionate is blown out of the water by this dreadful forecast.

Tent protests proliferate

The first frost of autumn made for a chilly Sunday morning. It must have been tough on protesters in London who spent the night camped out by St Paul's Cathedral.

Last Saturday’s global day of protest has involved a huge range of people from all walks of life, including many young people indignant at the lousy deal of debt and joblessness handed down to them.