News brief - 23/10/20 View this email in your browser
Govt to scrap in-work training fund despite promise to upskill
The government has confirmed that the Union Learning Fund, which has an 80% success rate in securing new jobs for graduates, will be scrapped.
Over 200,000 workers benefit from the scheme every year and it has been widely successful for both employers and workers. For every £1 of the government's £12 million contribution, participating workers add £7.60 to their wage and participating employers add £4.70 in improved productivity.
Employers and unions joined together to urge the government to u-turn, with the CEO of Heathrow Airport, Paula Stannet, describing the decision as "perplexing" and unions pointing out that it flies in the face of the government's own stated objectives.
FBU General Secretary, Matt Wrack, explained: “At a time when the country is on the brink of mass unemployment, and when ministers themselves are talking about upskilling and retraining, it would be ludicrous to cut one of the most effective programmes allowing workers to expand their skills.”
The Department for Education said its contribution to the Union Learning Fund would now be redirected to other training providers as well as to the government’s new National Skills Fund.
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Modern slavery support workers ‘gagged’ from speaking about govt cut to victims’ allowance
Suspicions have been raised that the instruction to gag workers came from the Home Office.
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Lords block ‘illegal’ Brexit Bill
The Internal Market Bill was defeated in the Lords by the largest majority seen in over 20 years.
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Sunak introduces new changes to Job Support Scheme
Unite the union says the government's offering still falls well below that of France and Germany.
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Over 100 CQC inspectors forced to self-isolate due to lack of testing
Inspectors have been denied regular Covid-19 testing, despite their regular contact with extremely vulnerable populations.
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Next accused of destroying evidence needed for equal pay claim
Fashion retailer, Next, has been accused of destroying timesheets needed to build a claim for equal pay.
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Socioeconomic inequalities to blame for higher Covid risk among BAME groups, says govt review
The latest research shows that poverty and deprivation are the underlying factors behind the increased vulnerability of BAME groups to Covid-19.
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BOOK NOW: Employment Law Update 2020
Employment Law Update 2020: Part 1
24th November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Leading lawyers and campaigners take a closer look at some of the dirtiest tactics of the pandemic, including fire and rehire, redundancies, and health and safety .
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Employment Law Update 2020: Part 2
26th November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Leading lawyers, academics and campaigners update delegates as to the most significant cases going through the tribunal system and their wider impact on the protection of workers.
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BRAND NEW SERIES OF FREE IER EVENTS
Challenging racism at work: Part 1
03 November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Tony Conway of Coventry Against Racism; Manoj Dias-Abey of Bristol University; and Patrick Roach of NASUWT will discuss immigration policy and its impact on workers' rights.
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Redistribution of working time and wealth
09 November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Ian Waddell of CSEU; Anna Coote of NEF; and Andy McDonald, Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights make the case of shorter working time.
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Access to justice
17 November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Jason Moyer-Lee of the IWGB; Lord John Hendy QC, Chairperson of the IER; and Shantha David of UNISON discuss how strategic legal challenges can be used to push back against attacks on access to justice.
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IER and Covid-19
Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.
IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.
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