94% of Con Dem Cuts yet to take place

Tribune reports on ominous findings by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) that only six per cent of cuts planned during the current Parliament have been implemented. The IFS says Chancellor Osborne’s autumn statement confirms that two more years of austerity than originally intended will be needed, so its own projections should not be seen as controversial. “Since the financial crisis and recession began, a £114 billion hole has become apparent”: http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2012/02/they%e2%80%99ve-only-just-begun-millions-are-feeling-the-pinch-but-94-per-cent-of-the-coalition%e2%80%99s-cuts-have-yet-to-take-place/

Inside by Mark Ford

There are wheels within wheels, he yelled
At the wall, and within those wheels
Are tiny images, untitled books, desperate
Or creepy entanglements. The arrow-headed cursor points

The NHS : A plan B?

As embattled Lansley looks increasingly vulnerable to the NHS Bill being savaged by yet more amendments. The cracks are beginning to appear in the Governments reforms. Conservative home page reports at least three cabinet ministers who are now sounding warnings about the bill’s future.

200th anniversay of Dickens and squalid housing still prevalent in UK

It is the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens and one has to wonder what the author would make of today’s housing conditions? In the fifth richest economy in the world the lives of 1.6 million children are still blighted by poor housing. The feedstock for poor housing is the demand for social housing that is not being met.

United Health Destroyers

Many critics of the Con Dem Health and Social Care Bill have warned of the dangerous consequences of a US style health care system in Britain. This week the Camden New Journal reports that a GP surgery in Camden is to close four years after being taken over by the biggest health company in the United States, UnitedHealth. http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2012/feb/gp-surgery-was-sold-us-health-company-set-close

Scotland council budget cuts: UNISON calls for review of funding to protect vital services and jobs

UNISON Scotland has called for a review of local government funding to prevent further loss of vital local services and job following news of local council budgets approved across Scotland today. http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2012/janfeb/0209.htm

London UNISON Regional Council AGM

UNISON London Region's existing leadership team, led by Convenor Gloria Hanson, saw off an attempt by the SWP and its sympathisers to take over at yesterday's Regional Council AGM. This is the seventh victory in a row for London grass root union activists who soundly defeated the challengers at the ballot box.

The Downside of the German Economy - The Rise of the 'Mini Jobs'

UNISON activists representing members in the cleaning, catering and low wage sector will be well aware of the new employment patterns of workers with multi jobs and more than one employer. Current austerity strategists have been raising the example of the German economy to contrast its relative ability to survive compared with other advanced economies, including the UK. But in Germany – where there is no minimum wage at all, rising job insecurity and even the Social Democrats have been supporting massive cuts in welfare – the so called German success is being paid for by the low paid:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/insight-dark-side-germanys-jobs-miracle-105821742.html

Barnet UNISON members strike to stop mass privatisation

UNISON members in the North London borough of Barnet will be striking today in opposition to the One Barnet Project - which seeks to transfer the majority of the staff out of the Conservative led Council. UNISON estimates that the total cost of outsourced services will exceed £2Billion:
http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/?q=node/768

Exhibition of contemporary Cuban art in support of Miami Five

A ground-breaking exhibition in support of the Miami Five is coming up in London and Glasgow. The London event is at Gallery 27 Cork Street, London from 23 to 28 April, 2012 followed by The Lighthouse in Glasgow from 7 to 13 May.

Beyond the Frame is a ground-breaking exhibition aimed at raising awareness around the case of the Miami Five organised by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.

The exhibition features special works by Antonio Guerrero and Gerardo Hernández, two of the Miami Five. Antonio has contributed a selection of drawings and paintings whilst Gerardo has contributed a series of cartoons.