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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><em><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black;display:none;font-style:normal'>Submitted by <a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/user/6" title="View user profile.">carolyn</a> on Wed, 18/12/2013 - 15:49</span></em><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td style='padding:7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt'><div style='margin-right:6.0pt;margin-bottom:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1889"><img border=0 width=100 height=74 src="cid:image001.gif@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1889">View in your browser</a></span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width="60%" valign=top style='width:60.0%;padding:7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt'><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>In the news this week</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/dec/09/no-gains-economic-recovery-tories-cut-labour-lead-icm-guardian-poll">According to a new Guardian/ICM poll</a>, 70% of people have not felt the benefit of the economic recovery the Coalition is so eager to boast about. Indeed, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/dec/12/wage-rises-outpaced-inflation-official-data">new data from the Office for National Statistics</a> has shown that wage rises have fallen short of the pace of inflation for five years running and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/dec/02/british-wage-earners-pay-cut-five-years">British workers have seen their wages slashed by £5,000 during that time</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>But despite the fact most of us are not feeling better off, Boris Johnson is making the cost of living <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2013/dec/04/boris-johnson-fares-increases-2014">even higher in London</a>, and as fares rise, workers in some areas of the country will be <a href="http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-f3ae-Train-fare-rises-will-force-workers-to-pay-up-to-23-of-salary/#.UrFwX_RdUyO">forced to shell out 23% of their wage</a> to use the railway network.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The government may also be failing to engender support from young people, as <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/05/state-pension-age-raised-to-70-autumn-statement">the retirement age for those born in the 1990s is set to rise to 70 years old</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>We’ve gone into more depth on a wide range of stories this week. Click through on the stories below to read more.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width="60%" valign=top style='width:60.0%;padding:7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt'><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>New on the Coalition Timeline<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/coalition-timeline"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#66667F;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=67 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Unite%20picture%20with%20shadow.thumbnail.jpg"></span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/coalition-timeline">Click here to see the Coalition Timeline</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Pay and Benefits<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:24.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:14.4pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#413839'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#413839'>Boris under fire for exploiting workers<br>(12/12/2013)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:24.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:14.4pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#413839'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#413839'>Osborne denies pay stagnation<br>(2/12/2013)<o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Health and Safety<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:24.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:14.4pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#413839'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#413839'>Tory ‘edged out’ for supporting higher asbestos compensation<br>(14/12/2013)<o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Increasing vulnerability in the workplace</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:24.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:14.4pt;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#413839'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#413839'>Businesses given power to regulate the regulators<br>(17/12/2013)<o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Equality<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:24.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:14.4pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#413839'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#413839'>Tories would consider scrapping Human Rights Act (11/12/2013)<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Equality Liverpool-Early January: Book now! <o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1044" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Equality%20and%20Discrimination%20cover.thumbnail.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1730" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:63.75pt;height:75pt;z-index:-20;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-508 0 -508 21168 21854 21168 21854 0 -508 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1730"><img border=0 width=85 height=100 src="cid:image003.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Equality%20and%20Discrimination%20cover.thumbnail.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1730">Click here to book</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Organised by the Institute of Employment Rights and sponsored by <span class=caps>NUT</span> North West Region.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>This 4th Equalities Conference in the North West brings together an expert panel of speakers to look at the latest issues affecting equality and discrimination at work. A similar programme to the London conference, this event will be accessible to people who don’t want to travel to London.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Christmas special packages: Order before Friday! <o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1043" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Xmas%20special.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1879" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:150pt;height:150pt;z-index:-19;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-216 0 -216 21384 21600 21384 21600 0 -216 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1879"><img border=0 width=200 height=200 src="cid:image004.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Xmas%20special.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Four Christmas Packages from the <span class=caps>IER</span> – for just £10!<o:p></o:p></span></i></h2><p><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#773B6A'>Support our charity and buy the perfect Christmas gift for employment law students, solicitors and trade unionists</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1879">Click here to buy</a></span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Support Justice for Hillsborough <o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_s1042" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/YNWA.thumbnail.jpg" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/youll-never-walk-alone-single/id745540068" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:75pt;height:75pt;z-index:-18;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21168 21600 21168 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/youll-never-walk-alone-single/id745540068"><img border=0 width=100 height=100 src="cid:image005.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/YNWA.thumbnail.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_5"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/youll-never-walk-alone-single/id745540068">Click here to buy</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Sean Taylor’s special edition of You’ll Never Walk Alone plus a festive Silent Night now available on iTunes with all proceeds to the Justice for Hillsborough Campaign. The perfect Christmas gift!<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Access to Justice<o:p></o:p></span></h2><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/news/legal-aid-report/">Legal aid cuts proposals may break human rights laws<span style='color:#66667F;text-decoration:none'><br></span></a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The Joint Committee on human rights has criticised proposals for cuts to legal aid, saying they may breach human rights laws.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Dr Hywel Francis, Chair of the Committee, explained: “Access to justice is a human right of citizens in this country, regardless of the state of the economy. We would urge the Government not to fall into the trap of knowing the price of everything but the value of nothing. We are particularly worried about the impact of the residence test on vulnerable groups such as children or victims of domestic violence.”<br><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/news/legal-aid-report/">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Labour Migration<o:p></o:p></span></h2><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/13/eu-migrants-new-questions-benefits-romanians-bulgarians">Migrant test to be made tougher for those seeking benefits</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The government is continuing to make the question of immigration seem like one of so-called ‘benefit tourism’ despite several statistical reports showing the welfare state is not likely to be a draw to immigrants. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>There are now proposals to introduce a new test for EU migrants of 100 questions before they can claim benefits, including asking why they could not find work in their home country, and evaluating their ability to speak English.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The <span class=caps>IER</span> has long demonstrated that the issue of migration is not one of cost to the Treasury (indeed, migrants provide a net benefit to the public purse), but one of worker exploitation. Find out more in our latest publication on Labour Migration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/13/eu-migrants-new-questions-benefits-romanians-bulgarians">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/news/immigration-bill-report-substantive/">Immigration Bill will lead to increased homelessness and discrimination, says human rights committee<span style='color:#66667F;text-decoration:none'><br></span></a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The Joint Committee for Human Rights has also told the government they are in danger of breaching human rights with the new Immigration Bill, which the <span class=caps>IER</span> believes is founded on myths regarding the problems associated with immigration rather than the facts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Buy our labour migration publication to find out more about the alternative argument on immigration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/news/immigration-bill-report-substantive/">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Equality<o:p></o:p></span></h2><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.xperthr.co.uk/blogs/pay-intelligence/2013/12/gender-pay-gap-widens-median-salary-increases-27000-year/"><span style='color:#66667F;text-decoration:none'><br></span>Gender Pay gap rises despite average salary increases<span style='color:#66667F;text-decoration:none'><br></span></a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The average salary of a UK worker has increased to £27,000 per year, but new research has found women are being left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>A study by XpertHR revealed that the gender pay gap among full-time workers increased to 10% by April 2013 from 9.5% in April 2012 – the first widening for five years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.xperthr.co.uk/blogs/pay-intelligence/2013/12/gender-pay-gap-widens-median-salary-increases-27000-year/">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1041" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/over-two-thirds-private-sector-firms-do-not-conduct-equal-pay-reviews" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:75pt;height:55.5pt;z-index:-17;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 18681 1296 21016 21600 21016 21600 2335 20304 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/over-two-thirds-private-sector-firms-do-not-conduct-equal-pay-reviews"><img border=0 width=100 height=74 src="cid:image001.gif@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_6"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/over-two-thirds-private-sector-firms-do-not-conduct-equal-pay-reviews">Over two-thirds of private sector firms do not conduct equal pay reviews</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>New research has shown that over two-thirds of private sector firms do not perform equal pay reviews, putting them far behind the public sector when it comes to action on equal wages. <br><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/over-two-thirds-private-sector-firms-do-not-conduct-equal-pay-reviews">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_s1040" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Women's%20Assembly.thumbnail.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1882" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:73.5pt;height:75pt;z-index:-16;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-441 0 -441 21168 21600 21168 21600 0 -441 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1882"><img border=0 width=98 height=100 src="cid:image006.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Women's%20Assembly.thumbnail.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_7"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/launch-womens-assembly-against-austerity">Launch of Women’s Assembly Against Austerity</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Over 40 female leaders signed a letter to the Guardian this week calling for a Women’s Assembly Against Austerity to be launched on 22 February 2014 at London’s Conway Hall. The signatories included Carolyn Jones, Director of the Institute of Employment Rights (<span class=caps>IER</span>) and Vice-Chair of the Morning Star; and member of the <span class=caps>IER</span>’s Executive Committee Barbara Switzer.<a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/launch-womens-assembly-against-austerity">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_8" o:spid="_x0000_s1039" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/maternity-pay-could-be-cut-2015" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:75pt;height:55.5pt;z-index:-15;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 18681 1296 21016 21600 21016 21600 2335 20304 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/maternity-pay-could-be-cut-2015"><img border=0 width=100 height=74 src="cid:image001.gif@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_8"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/maternity-pay-could-be-cut-2015">Maternity pay ‘could be cut’ in 2015</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Prime Minister David Cameron has admitted that he will not protect parental pay from overall budget cuts in 2015. <a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/news/maternity-pay-could-be-cut-2015">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_9" o:spid="_x0000_s1038" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Nerys%20Owen.img_assist_custom.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:112.5pt;height:112.5pt;z-index:-14;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-288 0 -288 21312 21600 21312 21600 0 -288 0">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=150 height=150 src="cid:image008.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Nerys%20Owen.img_assist_custom.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_9"><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/equality-experts-coalition-cuts-could-be-death-equality">Story headline</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>By Nerys Owen</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Equality experts at the latest <span class=caps>IER</span> Equality and Discrimination conference criticised the Coalition’s actions in the domain, suggesting the government is dragging its feet in some important areas, and actively killing equality law through multiple cuts in others. <a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/equality-experts-coalition-cuts-could-be-death-equality">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Pay and benefits<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_10" o:spid="_x0000_s1037" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Roger%20Jeary%20shadow.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/mps-should-enter-parliament-their-principles-not-pay-rise" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:114pt;height:136.5pt;z-index:-13;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-284 0 -284 21363 21600 21363 21600 0 -284 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/mps-should-enter-parliament-their-principles-not-pay-rise"><img border=0 width=152 height=182 src="cid:image009.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Roger%20Jeary%20shadow.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_10"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/mps-should-enter-parliament-their-principles-not-pay-rise">MPs should enter parliament for their principles, not for a pay rise</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>By Roger Jeary</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Earlier this year I blogged on this site some views on what was then speculation as to the level of MPs’ pay rise that the independent pay review body would come up with. The speculation has turned to reality and this week the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (<span class=caps>IPSA</span>) recommended that MPs’ salaries should increase by 11% to £74,000 per annum. <span class=caps>IPSA</span> also advised that this increase be countered by reductions in some expenses, reducing pension costs and cutting the resettlement amount that retiring or deselected politicians receive. <a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/mps-should-enter-parliament-their-principles-not-pay-rise">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Trade Union Rights<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_11" o:spid="_x0000_s1036" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Ruth%20Dukes%20with%20shadow.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/scotlands-future-strengthening-workers-rights-north-border" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:112.5pt;height:130.5pt;z-index:-12;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-288 0 -288 21352 21600 21352 21600 0 -288 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/scotlands-future-strengthening-workers-rights-north-border"><img border=0 width=150 height=174 src="cid:image010.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Ruth%20Dukes%20with%20shadow.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_11"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/scotlands-future-strengthening-workers-rights-north-border">Scotland’s Future: strengthening workers’ rights north of the border?</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>By Ruth Dukes</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Ruth Dukes analyses the proposals made in the Scottish Government’s white paper for independence, including employment law policies that mark a different approach to workers’ rights and the economy to Westminster.</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/scotlands-future-strengthening-workers-rights-north-border">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width="40%" valign=top style='width:40.0%;padding:7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_12" o:spid="_x0000_s1035" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ad%20banner%20narrow.img_assist_custom.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:150pt;height:99.75pt;z-index:-2;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-216 0 -216 21438 21600 21438 21600 0 -216 0">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=200 height=133 src="cid:image011.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ad%20banner%20narrow.img_assist_custom.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_12"><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Sponsor our news briefs<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Help support our charity and the work we do, as well as advertising your services or products to 5,600 trade unionists, solicitors, academics and others interested in trade union and employment rights. Contact <a href="mailto:office@ier.org.uk">our office</a> for more details.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span class=caps><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>IER</span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> Manifesto for Collective Bargaining<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_13" o:spid="_x0000_s1034" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Collective%20Bargaining%20infographic.thumbnail.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:75pt;height:75pt;z-index:-3;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21168 21600 21168 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining"><img border=0 width=100 height=100 src="cid:image012.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Collective%20Bargaining%20infographic.thumbnail.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_13"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/ten-point-collective-bargaining-manifesto">Read the ten-point manifesto</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining">By the book</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/watch-experts"><span class=caps><span style='color:#66667F;text-decoration:none'>VIDEOS</span></span>: Watch the experts</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/listen-experts"><span class=caps><span style='color:#66667F;text-decoration:none'>PODCASTS</span></span>: Listen to the experts</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>New publications<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_14" o:spid="_x0000_s1033" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Justice%20Deferred%20Publication%20cover.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/justice-deferred-critical-guide-coalitions-employment-tribunal-reforms" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:75pt;height:100.5pt;z-index:-4;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21278 21600 21278 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/justice-deferred-critical-guide-coalitions-employment-tribunal-reforms"><img border=0 width=100 height=134 src="cid:image013.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Justice%20Deferred%20Publication%20cover.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_14"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/justice-deferred-critical-guide-coalitions-employment-tribunal-reforms">Justice Deferred: a critical guide to the Coalition’s employment tribunal reforms</a></span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>By David Renton and Anna Macey</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Justice Deferred maps out in a concise, easy to read, accessible style and language, the ideologically driven path being pursued by the Coalition Government. It provides a critical guide to changes in employment tribunal rules and procedures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_15" o:spid="_x0000_s1032" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Manifesto%20book%20cover%20shadow.thumbnail.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:54.75pt;height:75pt;z-index:-5;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-592 0 -592 21168 21896 21168 21896 0 -592 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining"><img border=0 width=73 height=100 src="cid:image014.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Manifesto%20book%20cover%20shadow.thumbnail.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_15"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining">Reconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for collective bargaining</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>By Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>This publication presents an evidence-based policy proposal for the state encouragement of collective bargaining, and particularly sectoral bargaining, as a tried-and-tested means of reducing income inequality and stimulating the sustainable recovery of a strong and resilient economy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_16" o:spid="_x0000_s1031" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Labour%20Law%20Highlights%202013%20cover%20website.thumbnail.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/labour-law-highlights-2013" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:-300pt;width:54.75pt;height:75pt;z-index:-6;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-592 0 -592 21168 21896 21168 21896 0 -592 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/labour-law-highlights-2013"><img border=0 width=73 height=100 src="cid:image015.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Labour%20Law%20Highlights%202013%20cover%20website.thumbnail.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_16"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/labour-law-highlights-2013">Labour Law Highlights 1013</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>By Rebecca Tuck, Betsan Criddle & Stuart Brittenden</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span class=caps><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>SPECIAL</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <span class=caps>OFFER</span></span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> – 4 for the price of 1! Buy Labour Law Highlights 2013 and get Labour Law Highlights 2012, 2011, and 2010 for free! Already got past copies of Labour Law Highlights? You can still buy this year’s copy on its own for the usual price of £8.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Forthcoming events<o:p></o:p></span></h2><h3><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Equality and Discrimination: What next for equal rights?<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_17" o:spid="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Equality%20and%20Discrimination%20cover.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-and-discrimination-what-next-equal-rights" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:75pt;height:87.75pt;z-index:-7;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21415 21600 21415 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-and-discrimination-what-next-equal-rights"><img border=0 width=100 height=117 src="cid:image017.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Equality%20and%20Discrimination%20cover.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_17"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Wednesday 22 January 2014</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br><i>A one-day conference</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_18" o:spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Pensions%20London.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/pensions-changes-and-challenges" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:58.15pt;width:75pt;height:88.5pt;z-index:-8;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21234 21600 21234 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/pensions-changes-and-challenges"><img border=0 width=100 height=118 src="cid:image018.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Pensions%20London.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_18"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Pensions: Changes and challenges<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Wednesday 12 February 2014</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br><i>A one-day conference</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Unite the Union, London<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_19" o:spid="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Pensions%20Liverpool.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/pensions-changes-and-challenges-0" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:75pt;height:88.5pt;z-index:-9;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21234 21600 21234 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/pensions-changes-and-challenges-0"><img border=0 width=100 height=118 src="cid:image019.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Pensions%20Liverpool.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_19"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Wednesday 26 February 2014</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>A one-day conference<br>Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_20" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Access%20to%20Justice%20Liverpool.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/access-justice-0" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:75pt;height:87.75pt;z-index:-10;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21415 21600 21415 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/access-justice-0"><img border=0 width=100 height=117 src="cid:image020.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Access%20to%20Justice%20Liverpool.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_20"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Wednesday 05 March 2014</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>A one-day conference<br>Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_21" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Access%20to%20Justice%20London.img_assist_custom.jpg" href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/access-justice-1" style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:0;width:75pt;height:87.75pt;z-index:-11;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-432 0 -432 21415 21600 21415 21600 0 -432 0" o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.ier.org.uk/events/access-justice-1"><img border=0 width=100 height=117 src="cid:image021.jpg@01CEFC11.F63EFDD0" align=left hspace=12 alt="http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Access%20to%20Justice%20London.img_assist_custom.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_21"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Wednesday 19 March 2014</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>A one-day conference<br>Unison, Euston Road, London<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Carolyn Jones<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Director<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Institute of Employment Rights<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4th Floor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jack Jones House<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1 Islington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Liverpool L3 8EG<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>t 0151 207 5265<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>f 0151 207 5264<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>e office@ier.org.uk<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>