The Milburn review presents itself as a plan to help young people into work, but Dr DYLAN MURPHY argues it is laying the groundwork for a harsher benefits regime
Trade unionists from across Europe are picketing an EU transport ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg today to oppose the adoption of a “common approach” to privatising railway networks across the continent.
The proposals are contained in the EU’s 4th Railway Package, which was first unveiled over two years ago but has been held up due to division among member states.
To get round this little difficulty, ministers will rubber stamp a so-called “political pillar” of the rail package, which demands independency of infrastructure managers and open access competition for domestic commercial rail passenger services.
The HS2 debacle exposes what happens when public infrastructure is handed to private contractors – especially when set against China’s state-led high-speed rail success, says CARLOS MARTINEZ
On the eve of the 157th Trades Union Congress, MICK WHELAN, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, celebrates victory in his campaign to get dignity for drivers at work


