A NEW REPORT shows the gap between rich and poor will increase

‘WHO Gains From Growth’, an analysis of the country’s likely economic future, shows the UK is moving in the wrong direction, and must tackle rocketing inequality fast, the Green Party said.

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said:- ‘This report is important in demonstrating just how much we are headed in the wrong direction. It assumes steady, high growth levels - something not many economists are predicting - and finds the outcomes are still rising inequality - and rising human misery and insecurity.’

‘Who Gains From Growth?’, a study released by the Resolution Foundation, predicts that by 2020, incomes for poor and middle-earning households will drop by up to 15%, while those for the richest households will increase.

Coalition plans to reverse the current depression are focused on policies that will create low-skill, poorly-paid retail, care and leisure jobs, but will decrease skilled admin and manufacturing roles.

Ms Bennett said:- ‘Our current levels of inequality are not inevitable - and they are extraordinary in historical terms. In the 1970s Western societies were more equal than they had ever been before - it was the rise of neoliberal, leave-it-to-the-market ideology than reversed the long-term trend towards greater equality. It's essential we take quick steps. I'd suggest 3 places to start: make the minimum wage a living wage, institute a people's pension that lifts all pensioners out of poverty*, and end the privatisation of the NHS and other government services which adds to public costs and lowers wages.’

Green Party economic policies include – a 50% income tax rate for people earning £100,000 or more, the abolition of the upper National Insurance contribution limit, re-introducing the 10% income tax band, taxing financial transactions and increasing tax on large corporations from 28% to 30%.

The money raised will be spent on public services, education and investing in a green economic system. This will reduce financial pressures on everyone not in the UK’s highest earning bracket, provide skilled, well-paid jobs and assist social mobility.

Internet usage up in Liverpool

THE number of people who do not use the internet in Liverpool has been slashed by 40% over the last year. It follows a campaign called:- ‘Go On it’s Liverpool’ which saw over 1,000 digital champions recruited to encourage people to get online for the first time.

The latest official ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures show 43,000 people went online, cutting the number of digitally excluded people by 12%; that is compared to just 1.9% nationally.

According to the data; which compares figures from April to June 2011 with April to June 2012; the number of people who do use the internet in Liverpool rose from 70.8% to 82.7%.

There are now just 61,000 people, or 17 percent of the population, who have not been online; down from 104,000 from a
year ago.

Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool's Cabinet member for employment, enterprise and skills, said:- "Go On it’s Liverpool was hugely successful in getting people online and I am delighted with its success. Being computer and internet literate gives people a huge advantage when competing for jobs and is vitally important. Using the web is crucial to so many things in modern life and is only going to become more important in the future.”

During the campaign, scores of events were held in libraries, community centres and other venues across the city to raise awareness and show the benefits of using the internet.

Employers were also encouraged to get computer literate staff to take part and the initiative was backed by Unionlearn, the TUC scheme which encourages members to improve their skills.