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
British trade unions can be forgiven for having clung to the idea that the European Union is a positive force, a source of valuable jobs and work rights. The idea of "Social Europe" and the raft of legislation in which it was embodied appeared at exactly the time that British trade unions were facing a brutal frontal assault from a government bent on their destruction and manufacturing was haemorrhaging jobs. The Working Time Directive, TUPE, the part-time workers equal treatment directive and other initiatives from the Commission seemed and to some extent were bulwarks against some of the worst excesses of unleashed British bosses and Tory governments.
Labour’s watered-down legislation won’t protect us from unfair dismissal or ban some zero-hours contracts until 2027 — leaving millions of young people vulnerable to the populist right’s appeal, warns TUC young workers chair FRASER MCGUIRE
US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT
Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT
Deep disillusionment with the Westminster cross-party consensus means rupture with the status quo is on the cards – bringing not only opportunities but also dangers, says NICK WRIGHT


