SOLOMON HUGHES recommends Sunjeev Sahota’s recent novel set in a trade union election campaign for its fresh approach to what unites and divides workers, but wishes the union backdrop was truer to life
THE forecasts unveiled by the Bank of England when they raised interest rates last Thursday were a stark reminder of why there is currently a strike wave taking place in this country. The forecasts themselves were truly chilling.
The Bank’s forecasters reckon that inflation is far from the peak and could run over 13 per cent. That is now close to becoming the consensus after one of the leading think tanks had previously forecast price rises peaking at 15 per cent. The Bank also believes inflation will be above the current level of 9 per cent this time next year.
At the same time, it now predicts a prolonged recession. On this analysis the slump is set to last more than three years and unemployment will rise to well over 6 per cent before the end of 2025.
PHILIP ENGLISH says military spending will not create the jobs young people need — instead, build an economy based around needs, not profit
The 2025 Budget shores up the PM’s political position with headline-grabbing welfare U-turns, but with no improvements on offer to declining public services or living standards, writes MICHAEL BURKE
Under current policy, welfare cuts are just a small downpayment on future austerity, argues MICHAEL BURKE



