Sian Boyle

City University Interactive M.A. student under the Scott Trust and contributor to the Guardian and the Times

Why do those on benefits have to be caricatured or characterised in one way or another at all? There are thousands of decent, 'normal' people who are genuinely impoverished, and try to make ends meet as best they can

Dr Mark Pack

Worker at Blue Rubicon, lecturer at City University, writer of 101 Ways To Win An Election, eater of chocolate

The Queen inspires more terror than George Osborne. That is the tempting conclusion to be drawn from comparing the Queen's Speech (volume of advanced leaks: low) with the Budget (volume of advanced leaks: high). After all, Osborne can tax you but the Queen has the Tower of London...

Neil Scott

Lefty blogger who is based in Scotland and who supports the movement for an Independent Scotland.

There seems to be a split in opinion amongst people over recent changes to fundamental rights. Some people seem to accept changes to our society that to others are sinister and unacceptable.

Alex Andreou

Greek-born, Alex Andreou is a lawyer-turned-economist-turned-actor-turned-political blogger and consequently disoriented

A recording has surfaced this morning. I set out the transcript in full: Cost Guard: Hello. Captain: Good evening, chief. Cost Guard: Listen, this ...

Phil Shanks

Chief Executive, Houses4Homes

I share an ambition with the communities secretary to provide more affordable, more sustainable homes for the future. The question is, at a time when private sector rents are set to rise by 20% over the next five years, how are we going to achieve this?

Melanie Ward

Head of Advocacy, ActionAid UK

For the second year running, talking tough on tax dodging was a big theme of the Liberal Democrat party conference. Danny Alexander warned those who ...

Dr Mark Pack

Worker at Blue Rubicon, lecturer at City University, writer of 101 Ways To Win An Election, eater of chocolate

If decisions are made on tax for the next budget, however, it is very likely that this autumn's party conference will become a missed opportunity to debate, agree and produce party unity on a subject that has so often been a matter of debate amongst Liberal Democrats

Danny Alexander and Oliver Letwin

Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Throughout the Open Public Services White Paper we explain just how our reforms give power to those who have been overlooked and underserved. Decentralising power, diversifying provision, focussing funding on the most disadvantaged, and improving accountability will give people and communities a real say on what services they get and on where, when and how the services they use are delivered. By giving people choice to tailor services to their needs, a louder voice, and fair access, people will get better services their way. hese changes will wrest power out of the hands of highly-paid officials and give it back to people and communities - those that know best about their own needs. And our reforms will mean the poorest will be at the front of the queue. The top-down, centralised model of the past few years has failed: now is the time to put power where it belongs, with the people.