[IER] Back to the 'red tape bonfire'?

Fri Jun 18 18:46:27 BST 2021

News brief - 18/06/21                                                                            <https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=a6f4bf5a9c> View this email in your browser 

  <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/3038f9d5-b388-4d05-b8a1-dcf173b2070d.png> 

Back to the 'red tape bonfire'?

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/451ad64a-83ad-477e-b626-a1ebee1eacf5.jpg> 

Last year, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng was forced to backtrack on a review of the Working Time Regulations after a public outcry. But behind the scenes, Iain Duncan Smith had been commissioned to produce another report - on UK regulation after the EU - and there were concerns this would be the path through which the government would erode workers' rights.

That report, from the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform,  <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/deregulation-report-recommends-return-of-one-in-two-out-rule/> has now been published, and whilst fairly light on specific recommendations it does suggest the government return to its 'one in, two out' rule.

This rule, originally conceived of by former Conservative-led governments, means that Ministers must scrap two regulations every time they plan to impose a new regulation. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/deregulation-report-recommends-return-of-one-in-two-out-rule/> Read full report 

IER response to the Low Pay Commission consultation on the National Minimum Wage

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/b66723de-cb0f-ad5b-45b4-f63124b101f9.jpg> 

Kate Ewing argues that the National Minimum Wage is ineffective as a worker protection.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/publications/response-to-low-pay-commission-consultation-on-national-minimum-wage/> Download response 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IER.AdvertisingSheet.V7.Feb21.pdf> 

Low-cost advertising with the IER

The IER is proud to launch a programme of low-cost advertising to trade unions and the organisations that wish to reach them as a means of supporting our charitable aims.

For just £50, you can have your image in our newsletter, with a link to your website, campaign, event or service, and a coloured box of text - just like this - all about you.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IER.AdvertisingSheet.V7.Feb21.pdf> Read more 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/87273c7a-68e6-44df-a313-c913d7744ddd.jpg> 

COMMENT: Govt plans raid on trade union finances

Assistant General Secretary of Unite, Tony Burke, considers the stealth tax on union funds snuck out by Ministers.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/govt-plans-raid-on-trade-union-finances/> Read full story 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/622b506e-4295-d71f-7c07-0f18de0e6aaa.jpg> 

COMMENT: Are investors waking up to labour rights?

Alice Martin, of Pensions & Investments Research Consultants (PIRC), says the disastrous Deliveroo IPO shows it is possible for investors to take workers' rights into account, but there is still a long way to go.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/are-investors-waking-up-to-labour-rights/> Read full story 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/fe375a82-481f-4b48-9dd2-50308195de8d.jpg> 

‘Deregulation’ report recommends return of ‘one in, two out’ rule

Iain Duncan Smith's new report recommends ministers scrap two regulations for every one they impose.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/deregulation-report-recommends-return-of-one-in-two-out-rule/> Read full story 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/0f79ee61-6d93-a2dd-96ec-7e00729262a2.jpg> 

Homeworking revolution has opened up a new ‘class divide’, research finds

People in working class occupations are less likely to have access to flexible hours, the TUC has found.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/homeworking-revolution-has-opened-up-a-new-class-divide-research-finds/> Read full story 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/1496a74e-e896-419f-a746-23a3306f971a.jpg> 

Bosses forcing 1 in 10 “needlessly” back into work

More evidence has been uncovered that employers are breaching Covid rules, but enforcement is so weak they can act with impunity.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/bosses-forcing-1-in-10-needlessly-back-into-work/> Read full story 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/bfb02b9b-7216-103c-b455-0c18269f8217.jpg> 

Govt warned to stop ‘strongarming’ care workers

GMB has warned that forced vaccinations may lead to a staff shortage crisis in the care sector.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-warned-to-stop-strongarming-care-workers/> Read full story 

EVENT: Automation - negotiating a fair deal when technological improvements are made

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/ebf2d925-c7ab-472b-244c-f950ac6bfbdf.jpg> 

22nd June 2021 – 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
FREE

About this event

Peril and possibility for workers – exploring the worst and the best of automation transition.

Our speakers at this event will consider the past, the present and the future of automation and its interaction with the workplace and workers' rights.

Dr Leo Impett of the University of Durham will share his work identifying an ingrained bias towards worker exploitation within systems that rely on artifical intelligence.

Louisa Bull of Unite the Union will consider the impact on workers of historical advances in technology and how unions can ensure that an automation-led increase in economic productivity can be more fairly distributed among the population instead of simply lining the pockets of the rich.

Finally, General Secretary of the ACDU, James Farrar - who was a lead claimant in the case against Uber - will discuss the present-day fight against exploitative technology.

Speakers

Dr Leo Impett, University of Durham
Louise Bull, Unite the Union
James Farrar, General Secretary of the ACDU

 <https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ux8zQB8xQPmgnjInyqahhg> Book your place 

EVENT: Trade Unions, unemployment and workers’ rights

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/f91fccac-4a22-14a1-8512-4084177d44f6.jpg> 

7th July 2021 – 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
FREE 

About this event

Creating a cushion of unemployment is bad for the economy, bad for workers, and public health and wellbeing

Speakers

Martin Cavanagh, Deputy President of PCS and President of PCS DWP group

Brett Sparkes, Unite the Union

Helen O’Connor, The People’s Assembly

Tony Burke, CTUF

Chaired by Carolyn Jones, IER Director

 <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88388159438?pwd=K3hrN0NjWWNEWFBacWs4TllKVERUdz09> Book your place 

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 is holding all events online until further notice.

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.

 <http://www.facebook.com/theinstituteofemploymentrights> 

 <https://www.twitter.com/IERUK/> 

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/> 

Our mailing address is:

Institute of Employment Rights

4th Floor Jack Jones House

1 Islington

Liverpool, Merseyside L3 8EG 

United Kingdom

 <https://ier.us12.list-manage.com/vcard?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=4e9e05d15d> Add us to your address book

Unsubscribe by following the instructions on the bottom of this email or the .txt document attached. If you cannot find the instructions, please contact sarah at ier.org.uk

-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.gn.apc.org/pipermail/ier-elist/attachments/20210618/5a8162bc/attachment-0001.html>