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Social and economic: general (A129 – A155)

A129

This Conference believes that poverty damages children and society and we demand a better future for our children. The UK has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the industrial world. 1 in 3 children live in poverty in the UK today. 57% of children living in poverty are living in working households.

This Conference instructs the NEC to:

1. expose the link between child poverty and low pay

2. campaign to improve poverty benefits levels

3. campaign for opposition to the welfare reform bill which would worsen the living standards of many of the poorest children in Britain

4. campaign for good quality free publicly funded childcare for pre-school children and wrap around care provision for school age children.

5. an increase in the minimum wage to remove the need for top up benefits for working people.

(covers E536-E550)

Siemens, Glasgow
IPS, North West

A130

This conference recognises the enormous amount of work already done by the DWP group and the national union on welfare reforms including public campaigning and material, public meetings, seminars and the emergency motion sent to the TUC last year that was carried unanimously. This conference notes the attacks on the welfare state contained in the welfare reform green papers. This New Labour Government is planning the wholesale privatisation of the welfare and benefit system, based on the report written by merchant banker David Freud, to scandalously open up benefit delivery to the most vulnerable in society as a multi-billion pound market on the basis of a “right to bid". The green papers are also a part of the propaganda attack on the working class trying to blame the individual for being out of work and stressing the individual's own responsibility to get into work. During a recession it is clearer than ever before that it is the economic system to blame for condemning working class people onto the scrap-heap.

Conference agrees that some of the key issues we need to oppose In the New Labour Government’s welfare agenda include:

  • Potential wholesale privatisation of the DWP to companies to make a profit out welfare provision
  • Abolition of Income support - and therefore the safety net
  • Workfare - forcing the unemployed to work for benefits
  • Forcing single parents to be available for work when their youngest child is 7
  • Harsher medicals for those claiming the new sickness benefit ESA
  • Those addicted to drugs required to undertake treatment to get benefits
  • Lower rate of sickness benefit With ESA.

Conference therefore instructs the NEC to continue and step up the campaigning work to oppose the government's welfare reforms agenda by:

  • Working with claimant groups and support organisations and other unions
  • Continuing the campaign against privatisation. Public services that are publicly owned and delivered by civil servants have always out-performed the private and third sectors when compared on a level playing field.
  • Increasing the growing public support for nationalisation to put the spotlight on the waste and failure of private sector doing welfare work and campaign to reverse any privatisations.
  • Highlighting the real barriers to getting into work- lack of long term, well paid jobs, decent childcare and employers who do not discriminate against disabled people or who have genuine family friendly working practices.
  • Campaigning for a living minimum wage for all workers to lift people and their children out of poverty
  • Continuing to highlight the impact cuts in the DWP and HMRC are having on the service to the public
  • Calling for a moratorium on all cuts and office closures in the DWP and HMRC.
  • Campaigning to get the Government to put the resources and political will in to tackle employers instead of claimants to ensure the enforcement of equality, H&S, employment legislation to provide real job opportunities for people.
  • Draft an alternative vision of what the welfare provision should be, valuing the contribution of people in bringing up the next generation and caring for those close to them, and highlighting the support that a civilised society should be providing collectively in the public sector.

(covers E551-E561)

DWP, Dorset
DWP, Lincs & Rutland

A131 Composite 2

Conference notes that with the collapse of the financial system and the continuing instability of the banks and building societies there exists an opportunity for the government to set up a "safe and secure" saving and banking institution for working people. The role of traditional Building Societies as mutual societies has largely become obsolete with profits for share holders becoming the goal rather than the security of assets for members. The deregulation of the financial system has seen a free for all plundering of banks with mergers creating huge private banks with bad debts and collapses. British taxpayers have seen money meant for their health and social services diverted into the bankers pockets through the re-capitalisation programme.

At the same time the government has systematically presided over the splitting up of the post office and the privatisation of the most profitable parts. The re- emergence of Peter Mandelson to the Government has re-invigorated the zeal to further privatise those parts which are left.

In addition, there has been a huge reduction in the number of small post offices both in rural areas and on many housing estates in large towns and cities. The reliance on "on-line “ payments has been pursued during the boom period of the last decade. However, for many of those now losing their jobs the internet will be a luxury they cannot afford.

Conference rejects the idea that the Royal Mail/Post Office should be privatised and believes that more investment from the government should be made rather than allowing the Royal Mail/Post Office to be run down.

Conference instructs the NEC to campaign with the CWU and other TUC unions to resist the plans put forward by Lord Mandelson in regard to the Royal Mail/Post Office.

Furthermore, Conference calls on the NEC to campaign for the setting up of a National Post Office network using subsidised existing and newly created small outlets in order to maintain a Government-run savings and banking system providing safe and secure credit and financial services alongside other government services at a local level.

(covers E562-E565)

Prison Service, North West
HMRC, Benton Park View

A132

This Conference recognised that motion A116 carried at the 2008 ADC, commits the union to oppose a third runway at Heathrow Airport. This Conference notes the open letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, signed by PCS and five other unions, on 14 October 2008, calling for the third runaway to be scrapped.

This Conference further notes resolution Composite 9 (Climate Change), passed at the 2008 TUC Congress, calling for investment in green transport among a suite of measures for transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

This Conference further notes that the stated TUC position on investment in green transport is incompatible with its support for Future Heathrow, a lobbying organisation that promotes expansion of Heathrow Airport. Further Heathrow is largely supported by multinational corporations like BAA (the owners of Heathrow), airlines and the Confederation of British Industry.

In light of the above this Conference agrees to:

Instruct the NEC to submit a motion to the next TUC congress calling for the withdrawal of TUC support for Future Heathrow.

(covers E566-E567)

PSg, NERC
DEFRA, Swindon

A133

Conference notes and condemns the long hours culture in Scottish and UK workplaces, which damages family and social life; threatens the health and safety of workers fatigued by long hours and reduces their productivity of labour.

Conference expresses alarm at the fact that since 2007 the number of people working more than 48 hours a week has vastly increased. Furthermore, increased numbers of workers are doing unpaid overtime.

Conference fears that, during the recession, the pressure to do longer hours and unpaid overtime will escalate. Most workers suffer long hours at work, under duress, as a result of low hourly wages and job insecurity. Conference opposes this long hours culture on health, safety and economic grounds, but also because it blocks social progress.

Conference condemns the trend towards employers laying off workers on 'sabbaticals' with drastically reduced pay (usually 30-50% pay), and reduced hours accompanied by equivalent cuts in wages. Those are measures designed to shore up profit margins during recession, putting the burden on workers and their families.

Conference therefore welcomes the small step forward of the European Parliament voting to end the UK's opt-out from the Working Time Directive. However, Conference recognises that limiting the working week to an average of 48 hours falls far short of what is required in the 21st Century.

Conference agrees to campaign for a maximum 35 hour working week across the board - but without any loss of earnings. This to be the first immediate step towards a 4-day week, which would enhance the lives of working people and their families, as well as creating urgently-needed jobs.

Conference instructs the NEC to conduct a vigorous campaign of information (including through union magazines), regional forums of union members, and public meetings aimed at popularising these policies. Conference instructs the NEC to pursue this as a policy in wider trade union forums, including the TUC, STUC, Wales TUC, with the aim of making it the trade union movement response to redundancies as well as a policy that would transform the work/life balance of working people.

(covers E568-E569)

HMRC, East Kilbride
DWP, Glasgow North

A134

Conference notes:

  • The growing evidence that the economic recession presents a serious challenge to the government's learning and skills strategy outlined in Lord Leitch's 2006 review of skills which advocates the narrow agenda of "employer-led" training provision.
  • The DIUS select Committee Report (Jan 2009) that learning and skills strategy faces "impending disaster" without a significant change of course. The loss of over 1.4 million adult learning places since 2004 and the limited success of the Train to Gain programme in expanding learning opportunities for working people. That, despite equalities legislation, there remain significant gaps between women and men in pay, opportunities and access to training and that these inequalities are likely to intensify.
  • The potential for reduced participation of working class young people in Higher Education due to the loss of co-funded HE courses as employers' contributions diminish.
  • The increasing burden upon working class families of sending their children to HE because of the recession's impact on student loan debt.
  • The planned expansion of Apprenticeship places but without acceptable guarantees on rates of pay, content of apprenticeship training or clarity on health and safety responsibilities or on retention after completion.

Conference believes:

  • The replacement of the Learning and Skills Council will only add to existing confusion about training and skills provision and offer few improvements to learners. Only significant investment in skills and education will meet the challenges of recession and of widespread redundancies.

We therefore call upon the NEC to campaign for:

  • An end to all proposals involving working for benefit which are highly exploitative.
  • Apprentices and Graduate Internees to be paid the rate for the job
  • Increased equality monitoring of access, outcomes and pay rates in all training opportunities.
  • Statutory health and safety to be clearly identified responsibility of the new government agencies with responsibility for skills and learning.
  • An immediate statutory right to re-skilling in the event of redundancy notices.
  • The expansion of government funding to all workplaces threatened with job losses and increased access to training through workplace provision and community learning.
  • The Revision of the '16 hour rule' that prevents unemployed people studying for more than 16 hours a week while claiming housing benefit.
  • To further increase the number of apprentices in the public sector covered by agreements with trade unions on rates of pay, job content and guaranteed work at the end of the apprenticeship.
  • The extension of the Education Maintenance Allowance to more young people and an ultimate end to student loans which should be replaced with grants.

Conference instructs the NEC:

  • To oppose the planned abolition of the LSC which will cause significant disruption to employers, colleges and learners when they most need a coherent service.
  • To launch a membership campaign targeting apprentices within the civil service and public sector, offering a reduced membership fee.
  • To campaign for these policies in the wider trade union movement

(covers E570-E571)

LSC, West Midlands
DWP, Cardiff

A135

This ADC instructs the National Executive Committee to campaign through the TUC to oppose the Communications Data Bill.

HMRC, Bucks and Oxon

A136

This conference recognises the important contribution made by the 2.5 million carers who look after their elderly, sick or disabled relatives. It is estimated that their contribution is worth £87 billion a year to the UK economy.

Conference is concerned that many carers find themselves in increasing financial difficulty due to the burden of their caring responsibilities. One in five carers is forced to give up work completely. Over half of carers are in debt as a direct result of being a carer.

Conference instructs the NEC to campaign for:
 

  • An increase in the basic level of Carers Allowance to the level of the State Pension.
  • A higher level for those carers who cannot work at all or are required to care for more than one person
  • A removal in the restriction which prevents pensioners from claiming Carers Allowance
  • An increase in the number of hours that a carer can study before this affects their benefits.

DWP, Leicestershire General

A137

This conference recognises that currently, Maternity and Adoption issues are covered by legislation. But Foster Care, in terms of rights for carers, is not. Fundamentally this is because adoption is a permanent arrangement, but fostering is often short term (meaning anything from overnight, to a few days, to several months or years) and is seen as a temporary arrangement.

However, fostering can be a very demanding role, requiring regular attendance at meetings and at training sessions. Often the foster parents of long term foster children go on to adopt these children.

There is evidence that some employers, recognising the importance of foster care, are now granting leave for foster parents to attend training for their roles, but this is not a statutory requirement. Therefore, this conference instructs the NEC to launch a campaign to secure statutory rights for foster carers, and to call on the TUC to co-ordinate such a campaign with its affiliates

Land Registry, Leicester

A138

Although house prices have fallen recently as a result of the credit crunch, there is now the well documented problem of lenders and their reluctance to sell mortgages. Many people are losing their jobs and facing eviction from their homes, because they cannot afford to pay their mortgages. With a minimal income and resulting poor credit rating, it is highly likely that their future housing options will be severely limited. The Government is itself, closing many Civil Service offices, throughout the length and breadth of the country and this is forcing people to leave their jobs early, if they cannot travel to, or relocate elsewhere.

The lack of social housing is now a matter of urgency and is a moral obligation for the Trade Union movement. They must instigate new and update current campaigns to press home to the Government, their requirement to provide sufficient suitable housing stock, so that individuals can afford to either buy or rent decent and modern housing. Many of our members are modestly paid and whilst government policy is to ensure pay rises are kept below inflation, will be placed in an ever-worsening position each year. Without required changes to the Government's housing strategy, these members will, most likely, never be in a position to buy or even rent accommodation. Economists predict the current recession (now even talk of depression) will last for a considerable time, with an ever increasing number of people affected.

There is also the potential stigma of social exclusion, caused by the inability to buy or rent together, with the additional stress created, leading to the break up of relationships and families. Any modern civilised society cannot allow this situation to continue.

This conference therefore instructs the NEC to:

1. Campaign with the TUC to ensure the Trade Union movement works together to exert and increase pressure on the Government.

2. Issue ongoing communications and keep members fully up to date with progress through union media.

3. Increase contact with parliamentary working groups, helping to increase influence on Government policy.

4. Request that the Government makes available a full report on their current position on social housing within the UK and its future plans.

HMRC, Edinburgh

A139

This Annual Conference notes that millions of working people are fearful and angry at the mounting economic crisis. This fear and anger has exploded into unofficial strike action with thousands of workers across Britain walking out and utilising the slogan "British jobs for British workers". However, "foreign workers" are not to blame for the current recession - that is the fault of the fat-cat bankers and multinationals who continue to be bank-rolled by the UK Government despite being in a chaos of their own making.
In recent years trade union activists in all sectors have fought hard to unionise migrant workers and ensure that everyone is paid the same and works under the same conditions - regardless of nationality. The blame for escalating unemployment and attacks on pay and conditions lies firmly with the highly paid bosses of companies aided and abetted by ministerial legislation and regulation at home and abroad which has sought to extol the virtues of the free market.
For years in Britain we have been told that it did not matter that our manufacturing base was disappearing as we were becoming a service industry instead - the same service industry which is now in disarray as the banking industry continues to go bust and is propped up by the Government.

This Conference calls on the incoming NEC to pressurise the UK government to review and reform the legislation and regulation which restricts workers' rights; to stop privatising our public services and to ensure that all workers, regardless of nationality, get the highest pay rates, the best conditions and the strongest health and safety laws.

(covers E572-E574)

Scottish Government, Leith
DfT, DVLA Northern

A140

This Conference welcomes the campaign of Swindon TUC for abolition of NHS prescription charges in all of the UK.

Despite the concessions made by the Government in response to the campaign by a range of organisations, some patients in England face continuation of the charges. Charges have already been abolished in Wales and are being phased out in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It makes no sense for a shrinking number of people in only one of the four countries comprising the UK to have to continue paying the charges whilst they are abolished for everybody else.

We believe that this injustice must be brought to an end. PCS will campaign for an end to charges in all of the UK. So long as they remain in place then it cannot be said that treatment in the NHS is free at the point of use.

PSg, NERC

A141

For 30 years it has been illegal to sack a worker for his or her union activities and it is commonly thought that Blacklisting is also against the law. It was included in the 1999 Employment Relations Act, but in a discreet U-turn the Government never formally brought in regulations to bring it to the statute book. Technically it remains legal.

In an Employment Tribunal held in 2006 Alan Wainwright, a former manager in the construction industry testified that blacklisting of the trade unionists did go on. The Tribunal concluded that a blacklist exists. Given the fact that employers are collecting and storing more information about their staff than ever before it will be easier to blacklist and difficult to prove that they do exist.

Conference therefore instructs the NEC to urge the TUC to lobby for:

  • The release of all information held by employer on the staff
  • Outlawing of all blacklists
  • The right for employees to see reference or information about each individual which is passed from employer to employer.

(covers E575)

MOJ, Public Guardian Office
MOJ Transitional

A142

Conference is well aware of the alleged witch-hunts going on in UNISON. In fact, at least 5 Representatives have been suspended and could be facing expulsion. Four of them have been accused of racism without any real evidence that could result in counter claims based on defamation of character.

Although PCS would have no intention of criticising the leadership of any Trade Union, we still believe in the principle that every Union member is "innocent till proven guilty." It goes without saying that all Trade Union activists, representatives and ordinary members have a basic duty of displaying solidarity when dealing with our employers. Any suspension or expulsion must be based on concrete evidence beyond all reasonable doubt. Otherwise, such unnecessary actions will lead to in fighting within Trade Unions that will play into the hands of the Confederation of British Industry. We cannot afford such in -fighting during the grim period of the Credit Crunch.

Therefore, Conference asks PCS on behalf of all Trade Union members to make the following requests:

  • If the 5 suspended representatives are guilty beyond all reasonable doubt, we ask UNISON to provide a full explanation to the TUC.
  • If not, we ask that all the suspensions must be lifted and the charges to be dropped.
  • To request a cancellation of all investigations, without sufficient legal evidence, into any other UNISON Branch by their Trade Union.
  • If all unnecessary investigations, suspensions and expulsions continue in any Trade Union, we encourage all Trade Union members to write to their MPs.

MOJ, Public Guardian Office

A143

Conference will be aware that the European Services Directive will undermine pay and conditions in every workplace. Conference, therefore instructs the NEC to make representations to the TUC to lobby for the withdrawal of UK support for the European Services Directive.

(covers E576)

MOJ, Public Guardian Office
MOJ Transitional

A144

This conference notes the policy adopted by PCS towards the European Union constitution at ADC in 2005. Since then the UK Government has shied away from holding a promised referendum and has recently indicated that the public will now be denied the opportunity to vote on an EU Reform Treaty.

This conference therefore agrees that;

  • The EU Reform Treaty is to all intents and purposes a rehashed Constitution which will centralise political and economic power, undermining democratic accountability and popular sovereignty of nation states;
  • The "opt-outs, red lines and derogations" relied upon by the Prime Minister to justify not holding a referendum are a smokescreen to deny the electorate the chance to defeat the Treaty;
  • The labour movement, including trade unions, should campaign vigorously in favour of a referendum on this issue, and once secured should campaign equally strongly for a "No" vote;
  • Conference records its opposition to any European Treaty designed to support neo-liberalism and capitalism and agrees to campaign for a socialist Europe.

DWP, Barnsley and Rotherham

A145

Conference notes that in 1997 the Government agreed to a ban on cosmetics testing on animals in the UK. However, the Government still allows companies to test ingredients for household products on animals. Many people are unaware that animal testing is still allowed in this area.

Thousands of animals are still used to produce products such as washing up liquid, floor cleaners, toilet cleaners, detergents, bleach, air freshener and furniture polish. These animals are force fed chemicals and subjected to other painful toxicity tests that cause unnecessary suffering and death.

There is already a wide range of household products already on the market in the UK approved by the Humane Household Products Standard. These are easily identified by the leaping bunny logo, safe to use and have been certified as not tested on animals. This makes the practice even more grim and unacceptable.

Over 200 MPs signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the UK Parliament last year calling for such a ban across the country. Recently, a further EDM was tabled to ensure that cleaning products used in the parliamentary estate have not been tested on animals.

PCS can take its own steps to help bring about a complete ban. The Trade Union movement has a proud history of campaigning against injustice and speaking up for those who have no voice. Unfortunately, many of these campaigns are long and deeply frustrating. This issue can be resolved relatively quickly if we have the courage to pursue it. It is time to take the cruelty out of cleaning.

This Branch therefore instructs the NEC to:

  • Lobby the Government to put an end to testing household products and their ingredients on animals;
  • Open dialogue with the Government and seek to ensure that all cleaning products used in Government buildings have been certified as not tested on animals;
  • Take immediate steps to ensure that all cleaning products used in PCS offices have been certified as not tested on animals.

MOJ, Appeals Service (SSCSA) National Branch, Tribunals Service

A146

Conference will be aware of the immense damage that Private Equity Firms do companies that they take over and slice to the bone. Such companies are on record for reducing employees to the very minimum and doing vast damage to their terms and conditions. The review done by David Walker does not go far enough to control these private equity firms. The takeover of AA by private equity firm Permira resulted in thousands of job losses and an eventual merger with Saga, the over 50's insurance and publishing firm. Private equity is centred on it's get rich-quick asset stripping and tax avoidance. One could well argue that it is the failure to regulate the private sector has contributed to the "credit crunch" which will affect economies around the world.

Conference therefore instructs the NEC to lobby the TUC for the following:

  • Private Equity Firms and so-called portfolio companies based in the UK that use huge loans to purchase large companies should release plans of what they intend to do with those companies, and how they intend to pay back the loans, to the employees, customers and stakeholders before any acquisition attempt.
  • They should disclose details of investments and how they have performed over time. An annual report would suffice-
  • Firms based off shore to escape UK taxes should be excluded from acquiring other companies in the UK.
  • Buyout firms should also detail the board members and senior managers in charge of specific funds-
  • An annual report which should appear no later than 3 months after the year end, should include a discussion of its performance and information about employees, its effect on the environment and social and community issues.
  • The financial risks of using excessive debt to fund buyouts should also be added to the reporting requirement.
  • The huge pay and fees enjoyed by private equity bosses should be included in the annual reports.
  • There should be robust protection for employees' terms and conditions of employment once an acquisition has taken place.
  • The above bullet points should not be part of a voluntary code but should be made compulsory.

(covers E577)

MOJ, Public Guardian Office
MOJ Transitional

A147

Conference is well aware of the proposed European Union Constitution, now renamed the Reform Treaty or Lisbon Treaty. Yet, there seems to be no sign of any forthcoming referendum on this vital issue, especially for the future of the Public Sector and Trade Unionism.

The EU Constitution still enshrines neo -liberal economic policies into law by stating, "A European framework law shall establish the measures in order to achieve the liberalisation of a specific service," giving the EU the power to privatise where it sees fit. On top of this, the Constitution confirms the sole right of the European Commission to initiate new laws and remove from member states the power of veto in more then 60 new policy areas.

But it is even more distressing to hear that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has, recently, made a ruling over two cases, "Viking" in Finland and "Vaxholm" in Sweden. The ECJ has now declared in both cases that EU rules on the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour gives private firms protection against collective action by trade unions. In other words, an employer's right to "freedom of establishment" trumps the right to strike. Such precedent cases are far more restrictive than even the anti-union laws passed by successive Tory governments in the 1980s. Unfortunately, the EU is not seriously considering the wishes of the people in the Irish Republic despite the fact that they voted "No" in the last referendum.

Therefore, in order to protect the future of all employees and Trade Unions in the UK, we ask the NEC to implement the following measures:

1. To lobby both Parliament and the Government to call for a referendum on the current European Union Constitution, if one has not been decided by now.

2. To encourage systematic opposition to the EU Constitution when the referendum takes place.

(covers E578)

MOJ Transitional
MOJ, Public Guardian Office

A148

Conference is aware that the British-Irish Council was established under Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement reached in 1998. The role of this Council is “to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the people of these island”. Yet this policy seems to be far from the truth in accordance with Employees' rights. The United Kingdom has almost the worst anti-union laws in the European Union whilst the Irish Republic has a more beneficial legal system as well as a more sympathetic news media for Trade Unions and employees, rights. Conference notes that such an unfair balance of these interests between the two nations is unacceptable.

Therefore, we instruct the TUC to exert pressure in the following areas:

1. Persuade the British-Irish Council to ensure greater compatibility of employees' rights for the people on both these islands, particularly within the Public Sector.

2. To request for greater support from the Irish Trade Unions in our campaign along with the TUC, in repealing the most draconian anti -union laws in the UK.

3. To lobby all representatives in the assemblies of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland along with all the MPs at Westminster in order to accomplish these aims.

4. To ask for the Government of the Irish Republic to add any influence on our own Government in legislating for Trade Unions and better protection for employees in the UK.

(covers E579)

MOJ Transitional
MOJ, Public Guardian Office

A149

Conference notes the current UK honours system is fundamentally flawed, resulting in wide-scale abuse by politicians. Furthermore the Civil Service is brought into disrepute by the number of time-serving senior civil servants who receive awards as a matter of course, regardless what level of damage they have done to their respective departments during the course of their careers.

Conference resolves to adopt a policy of opposition to the current honours system, and instructs the NEC to campaign for radical change, the fundamental principal of which should be:

  • An abandonment of any title and privilege that accompanies current honours.
  • The removal of political leaders from the decision making process.
  • Genuine, exceptional, achievement, to be the main criteria for nomination.

HMRC, Bootle

A150

That this ADC recognises the benefits and advantages of the devolved machinery of Government in the UK.

However Conference agrees that the rate of progress has been disappointingly slow and that positive action is required to free citizens from the grasps of an increasingly centralised bureaucratic, and overbearing central Government machinery.

Conference therefore instructs the incoming NEC to actively campaign amongst the wider public, politicians and trade union movement for the creation of full lawmaking parliaments in all four countries constituting the UK and for full tax raising powers to also be devolved to said bodies.

(covers E580)

HMRC, South West Wales

A151

This conference notes with concern the problems facing pensioners due to cold weather. According to the ONS, 281 people of pensionable age die every day throughout the winter due to cold related conditions. In many cases rising fuel costs force pensioners to make a stark choice between heating or eating. This is simply not acceptable. Conference instructs PCS to work with the NPC and its own ARMS members in order to press the Government to address this situation by increasing the winter fuel allowance to a level which means everyone can afford to stay warm and by ensuring fuel companies act responsibly when dealing with those most in need.

HMRC, South East Essex

A152

This conference notes that workers in the UK have the lowest number of public holidays in Europe. The average in Europe is 12, whilst Italy have 16, Germany and Spain have 14, and France 11. The UK has only 8 public holidays, making it bottom of the league table in Europe.

The NEC is instructed to campaign for an additional public holiday through the TUC and the Parliaments / Assemblies of all four constituent UK countries, to gain improvements for all UK workers. An additional public holiday linked to the patron saints of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England would be a most welcome and popular improvement. It would not cost much and would improve the economy as it would provide increased leisure time for all.

BERR, Companies House

A153

The Labour Party has systematically dismantled the Civil Service and ruined the lives of many members, who have given invaluable service to their departments. They have recruited individuals from outside industry to implement their plans and spent untold millions on private consultants, who have helped themselves to excessive profits, whilst ordinary people lost their jobs. Those lucky enough to still be left with jobs have been left with a continual denigration of working conditions and remain open to the prospect of an uncertain future.

The Labour Party has finally cast aside the last remnants of their traditional values and has now adopted the policy of using heavy handed tactics on the unemployed and incapacitated. This of course, is designed merely as another diversionary tactic to divert attention from the political mess they are in. They have actively distanced themselves from trade union positions and openly backed intransigent management in disputes against workers.

It is inconceivable that anyone who has suffered because of their flawed agendas and ideology should continue to fund them.

This conference instructs the NEC to:

1. Raise awareness throughout our own and other unions.

2. Campaign through the TUC to persuade her unions to stop their funding also.

(covers E581)

HMRC, Edinburgh
HMRC, South East sussex

A154

Conference notes the alarming trend of rising food prices which are undermining members' standard of living.

Conference calls on the NEC to campaign through the TUC and wider trade union movement for a policy of controls on supermarket food prices, without cutting prices to suppliers and producers, coupled with proper safeguards for agricultural workers in conjunction with the appropriate unions; and for subsidies for basic items of food.

HMRC, Central London Valuation

A155

Conference notes the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 gives all 'quangos', government agencies and public bodies a 'duty to cooperate' with local authorities.

Conference believes there is a clear link between openness and transparency in public sector bodies, confidence in the public sector, and support for our members. Conference supports greater links between the delivery agencies of central and local government, whilst recognising historic differences both in terms of constitutional matters and terms and conditions of employment.

Conference therefore resolves to support openness and transparency through the following practices, and if needs be through further legislation:

1. All meetings of the strategic decision-making bodies of these organisations and their sub committees shall meet in public, subject to the same conditions of confidentiality for personal or commercial activity which currently apply to councils.

2. That the meetings shall be advertised and promoted to and through the press to the public, and specifically to users and partners of that organisation.

3. Details, including contact details of all non-executive members of the main decision making body and its sub committees, to be made available on the same basis as councils make details of councillors available.

4. That each body be instructed to make and publish arrangements for both executive members and non-executive members of the main-decision making body to meet members of the public, service users, and duly elected representatives of all recognised Trade Unions.

HMRC, South West