Author Archives: Patrick Butler
Live discussion of Welfare reform bill
A hatrick of defeats on welfare benefits for the government in the Lords – so what happens next?12.31pm: More on the attempted ambush of the three Lords amendments last night. I’m told Lord Freud’s late amendment 45a waters down the earlier “youth cond… Continue reading
Welfare reform bill – Lords debate and live discussion
Lords prepare for critical debate on welfare benefit payments to cancer patientsWelcome to Day Two of the Welfare Reform bill live blog. There are crucial votes in the House of Lords this afternoon which we’ll be keeping an eye on: • Crossbencher Lor… Continue reading
Welfare reform bill – live discussion
Debate intensifies as controversial welfare reform bill enters crucial period in passage through Westminster12.00pm: Welcome to the Guardian’s live blog on the welfare reform bill. This proposed legislation, hailed by the work and pensions secretary, I… Continue reading
Charities scared to speak out amid cuts, says report
Service provider charities censoring their public remarks for fear of funding reprisals, warns Independence PanelCharities that provide public services are increasingly reluctant to speak out against social injustice because they fear they will lose th… Continue reading
Boris Johnson attacks planned cuts to disability payments
Mayor of London says Disability Living Allowance proposals could push a disadvantaged group into deeper povertyThe mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has placed himself at loggerheads with the government over benefit changes after he formally objected to … Continue reading
Foster family shortage puts more children at risk
Children in care rose sharply after Baby Peter case in 2008, with crisis building as recession contributes to family breakdownsThousands of vulnerable children could end up trapped in inadequate or inappropriate care because of a looming crisis in the … Continue reading
Westminster council plans to means-test social housing tenants
Conservative council drafts ‘civic contracts’ to save moneyUnemployed people will have to prove they are actively volunteering in the community in order to qualify for certain welfare benefits and social housing under “civic contract” proposals drawn u… Continue reading
Homelessness: end of the line for the Bendy-bus rough sleepers
Hundreds of homeless people travelled on London’s bendy buses at night, finding a safe haven and a place to sleep. But now the buses have been withdrawn, where will they all go?A few nights on a bus in the early hours of the morning was a revelation fo… Continue reading
London: an urban neo-Victorian dystopia
George Osborne’s 2011 austerity measures kickstart the inexorable separation of rich and poorLondon, once known for its diversity, became progressively more socially and economically segregated after the 2011 austerity measures kicked in, triggering si… Continue reading
Cuts: an extra 300,000 public sector jobs now face the axe
The Office of Budgetary Responsibility now reckons 710,000 public service jobs – not 410,000 – will go over the next five years. Why has it changed its mind (again)?One of the most staggering figures tucked away in today’s Office for Budgetary responsi… Continue reading