Victoria Macdonald
It’s the non-work programme, charity says
The government’s work programme isn’t working, according to a leading disability charity, which predicts a success rate of a maximum of 12 per cent.
Search results for ‘pensions’
902 items found
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Cap on pension charges proposed to help savers
The government is proposing a cap on “excessive” pension charges, which would put tens of thousands of pounds back into retirement savings pots.
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Controversial disability welfare reform delayed indefinitely
The government has delayed its new disability benefit. Civil servants working on the project previously criticised for weak management said “it took longer expected”.
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Benefit sanctions causing ‘great hardship’
Penalising benefit claimants who are not deemed to be doing enough to find work is leaving people without any money to live on, according to research from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
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Grangemouth plant to shut following union dispute
As the owners of the Grangemouth petro-chemical plant near Falkirk announce that it will close, the UK and Scottish governments say they hope a way can be found to keep it open.
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Grangemouth workers set to reject deal in ‘messy’ dispute
The Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland is on the brink of permanent closure as workers are set to reject the latest offer from owners Ineos in a dispute over pensions and benefits.
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Salmond would delay Trident deal until 2016
SNP Leader Alex Salmond says a final deal on removing Trident nuclear submarines under an independent Scotland would be delayed until 2016 – and be conditional on his party being re-elected.
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‘We are sick and tired,’ teachers tell Michael Gove
Tens of thousands of teachers strike over pay and pensions across England, and to tell Education Secretary Michael Gove they are “sick and tired” of his “relentless attacks” on the profession.
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Inflation: the good and bad news for pensioners
In post-recession Britain, pensions are rising faster than earnings. But older people would be better off if RPI was still used to calculate pensions, writes Economics Producer Neil Macdonald.
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Bitter or sweet? The ethics of your chocolate snack
It’s “chocolate week”, that annual celebration of all things indulgent and sweet. But has chocolate finally overcome its darker history – from child trafficking to crop-ravaged land?
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Victoria Macdonald
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Moore out, McVey in, as Cameron reshuffles government
Out with the old, in with the new? The Liberal Democrat Michael Moore is sacked as Scottish secretary in the autumn reshuffle, while the Conservatives Nicky Morgan and Esther McVey are promoted.
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Victoria Macdonald
CQC exonerates employee it accused over alleged cover up of poor care
Ever so quietly, with no warning, the Care Quality Commission has published a statement on its website today completely exonerating one of the women alleged to have been involved in a cover-up of an internal report into its inspections of the Morecambe Bay NHS trust. Pre News refresh player Anna Jefferson, who was at the…
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Jeremy Hunt vows Tories will give CQC ‘teeth’
Jeremy Hunt announces the Conservatives will give the Care Quality Commission “teeth” to investigate any hospital or trust, without needing state permission, in the wake of the Mid Staffs scandal.
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Ageing Britain: number of centenarians increasing
Britain’s elderly population is growing according to new figures, with a five-fold increase in the number of centenarians over the last three decades.
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Labour pledge to kill bedroom tax
Labour will pledge to scrap one of the Conservatives’ most controversial policies. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne explains why. Michael Hancock, skills minister, defends it.
