Austerity

OPINION

The end of the Tory nightmare, a worse one on the horizon

— As the general election campaign concludes, polls suggest the end of 14 years of damaging Tory government. Food bank usage has soared, highlighting the severe social damage. Labour may win, but lacks plans to reverse austerity, paving the way for potential far-right resurgence.

2024 General Election

Teenagers have gone through enough – Rishi Sunak’s national service is too much to ask

— Rishi Sunak proposes reintroducing national service for 18-year-olds if the Conservatives win the general election. Critics argue it burdens youth already impacted by pandemic disruptions and severe cuts to youth services, worsening social and economic inequalities.

Austerity

Rising knife crime in London is linked to austerity cuts to youth services

— In 2023, London saw a sharp increase in knife and gun crime, primarily attributed to significant police funding cuts and austerity measures by the Conservative government, which undermined efforts to tackle the escalating violence effectively.

Children's Health

Alarming decline in children’s health and well-being predated pandemic, research reveals

— Research indicates a significant decline in the health and well-being of primary school children from 2014 to 2022, exacerbated by events like Brexit and the pandemic.

Austerity

Child health is in crisis in the UK – here’s what needs to change

— Children are bearing the brunt of austerity. From obesity to infant mortality, child health is affected by sustained under-investment. What can be done to reverse the decline?

Austerity

How the Tories drove Britain’s local services into bankruptcy

— Local councils in Britain face severe financial strain, resulting in cuts to essential services like lollipop patrols, street lights, and public facilities. Austerity measures since 2010 exacerbate the crisis, risking vital community support and infrastructure.

Cost of Living Crisis

A single person on universal credit now receives 20% less than what it costs just to eat and keep warm

— The UK benefits system does not systematically cater for the basic household needs of healthy eating and domestic energy.

UK Politics

Rishi Sunak’s decision to bring back David Cameron has distracted us all for now, but the long-term strategy is flawed

— Rishi Sunak’s appointment of David Cameron as foreign secretary raises questions. Cameron, not a popular figure, is linked to Brexit and an era of austerity, conflicting with Sunak’s strategy. The move may have short-term benefits but poses risks for the Conservative Party.

UK Politics

Ed Balls and George Osborne’s new podcast is essential listening – but not for the reasons they think

— In a new podcast, former chancellor George Osborne and former shadow chancellor Ed Balls have revealed how their parties collaborated on devising some of the most damaging policies of the past 20 years.

Public Health

How austerity made the UK more vulnerable to COVID

— Evidence shows austerity has wide-ranging consequences for health.

Housing

Decade of progress on making England’s homes safer threatened by austerity and the pandemic

— The number of homes with serious hazards has been nearly halved, but improvements have slowed and may now be in reverse.

Austerity

The long-term effects of austerity last for generations

— Public spending cuts and the soaring cost of living will not only affect people’s lives now but could trickle down through generations.