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
NOTHING illustrates the absurdity of Tory rule more than the mental health crisis facing Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is taking nonsensical solutions to a new level by trying to stop people from taking time off work for mental health reasons — while not promising any new funding for already underfunded mental health services.
According to the Financial Times (August 25), “Jeremy Hunt plans to use the Autumn Statement to tackle the sharp rise in people unable to work because of mental health issues.”
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



