Carers need ‘greater benefits’
A "radical overhaul" of the benefits and tax system is needed in order to make caring more financially viable, according to the charity Carers UK.
The claim comes after a report out today showed that nearly three quarters are worse off as a result of caring, with 65 per cent not in paid work. Continue reading…
Corby housing rated ‘fair’
Housing services provided by Corby borough council were rated ‘fair’ and given one star out of three by the Audit Commission after an assessment.
The rating marked an advance on the previous zero star rating that the service received. Continue reading…
Charities given negotiation advice
Charities are being given negotiation advice from the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo).
A new guide warning charities not simply to accept what they are offered was launched by the association following research showing that many charity chiefs lack confidence at the negotiation table. Continue reading…
Trade unions ‘could provide welfare services’
Trade unions could provide welfare services, according to the minister for employment and welfare reform, Jim Murphy.
Mr Murphy called for trade unions to play a central role in the provision of services and support to get people back into work. Continue reading…
Hodge sparks housing debate
The industry minister Margaret Hodge sparked a debate on housing allocation this week after making comments on immigrants’ place in the housing queue.
She warned that social housing "will always be a limited resource" and that British families should take precedence over immigrants.
Ms Hodge said: "A lot of black and Asian British people feel as strongly as some white families do – that there is an essential unfairness in the system. They feel they’ve grown up in the borough and they’re entitled to a home. Continue reading…