Spending cuts

Council staff are opting for pay cuts to save their jobs as town halls implement the biggest budget reductions since the Second World War, writes Political Correspondent Cathy Newman.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has defended cuts to local Government budgets by pointing to authorities that have protected services.

More than 50,000 NHS jobs will be lost over the next five years due to Government spending cuts, a campaign group claims, as Channel 4 News finds mental health services could be badly hit.

Prime Minister David Cameron says most public services could be run by private firms, charities and voluntary groups – a move denounced by unions as “classic nasty party stuff”.

The battle against budget cuts reaches new levels in the US State of Wisconsin, as thousands of public service workers invade the Senate – and Democratic Senators go on strike.

The Government unveils its Welfare Bill, hailing it as the biggest reform of the benefits system since its inception. But Channel 4 News hears from people who remain worried by the changes.

The benefits system overhaul will make it better for all, the Government says, as the Welfare Bill comes out. But many, including people with disabilities, tell Channel 4 News they fear losing out.

The Government unveils its Welfare Bill, hailing it as the biggest reform of the benefits system since its inception. But Channel 4 News hears from people who remain worried by the changes.

Environment Minister Caroline Spelman admits: “I’m sorry, we got this wrong” over the forest sell-off. Gaby Hinsliff says the Government has to be prepared to be unpopular on some policies.

The Bank of England lowers its growth forecast and signals a rise in interest rates to tame inflation – but Faisal Islam says the Monetary Policy Committee cannot agree on the way forward.

In 21st century Britain, you would not expect people across the country to need food handouts to survive – particularly those with jobs. But that’s exactly what Political Editor Gary Gibbon finds.

One of the founders of the Big Society concept tells Channel 4 News that its image is being damaged by public spending cuts.

It’s not just in Britain that the Government’s cutting spending. President Obama is planning a $1.1trillion cut – and his political opponents say that’s not enough, as Felicity Spector reports.

David Cameron says it is his “mission in politics” to give people more responsibility despite spending cuts. Political Editor Gary Gibbon writes that Broken Britain is back to sell the Big Society.