NICK MATTHEWS recalls how the ideals of socialism and the holding of goods in common have an older provenance than you might think
Public-sector pay is an issue for us all
For its own good the Labour government should take a radical, progressive approach to investing in public services instead of tinkering around the edges, argues DIANE ABBOTT
THE struggle over the level of public-sector pay rises for 2025 has already begun. Because of its impact on general pay increases, the outcome will be of direct interest to all workers.
In addition, because of the multiple crises in public services, wider society has an interest in a level of pay that improves the deteriorating record in recruitment and retention in key parts of the public sector.
As a result, the outcome of this struggle will have serious consequences for the entire working class and the poor. There is also the possibility, or even the likelihood, that this will be a multi-year struggle as the government’s own budget suggests that ministers’ aim will be continuous belt-tightening over the lifetime of this parliament.
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DIANE ABBOTT checks the arythmetic of the budget and the sums do not bear out the government message on the label



