The question is not simply how much we spend on defence, but what we understand defence and security to mean, says SIMON BRIGNELL
‘Universal credit’ is an oxymoron
The benefit system is only ‘universal’ if everyone can access it — but what if you don’t speak English or have access to the internet, asks ANYA COOK
I WORK at Newcastle College. On Wednesday last week I spent an hour — a whole hour — on the phone to universal credit.
They had stopped benefit and rent payments to an English language student because he hadn’t updated his online journal.
His money was stopped. His rent was stopped. This is social insecurity.
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Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE



