We're now taking a short break until the New Year 🎄 We'll be back with more news, views and analysis from the left, our fighting trade unions, the wide movement for Palestine, and progressive struggles around the globe.

“Protest is a human right. We call on the government to treat these protesters with the humanity becoming of a civilised nation and society.” @pcsunion.bsky.social's statement on the treatment of the pro-Palestine hunger strikes on remand.

As the US gears up to attack Venezuela and steal its oil reserves, it is using Puerto Rico – a country it colonised in the 19th century – as a base from which the bombers would be sent. US Colonialism: two centuries of daylight robbery - @stevehowell.bsky.social.

The Campaign’s Co-chair, Tony Burke, reflects on the passage of the Employment Rights Act and the role of the House of Lords, particularly hereditary peers labouroutlook.org/2025/12/19/a... @labouroutlook.bsky.social

Trump's military escalation against Venezuela and his agenda for the wider region must be challenged - @richardburgon.bsky.social. We only need to look to the destructive history of US intervention in Latin America to see how real this danger is.

“Together, we will turn UNISON into the remarkable force for change it should be.” Left candidate @andrea4gs.bsky.social has won the UNISON General Secretary election - read her statement here ⬇️ labouroutlook.org/2025/12/17/l...

A sharp rise in attacks on rail workers is taking place at the same time as the British Transport Police presence is being cut on the network. The @rmtunion.bsky.social says that current staffing levels are inadequate to protect workers or the travelling public.

“It’s time to scrap this war-first agenda, cut military and nuclear spending, and build a peaceful, people-first future instead.” Read @cnduk.bsky.social's assessment of the budget 👇

Solidarity with British Library staff fighting for fair pay ✊ @pcsunion.bsky.social has announced another week of strike action from Monday.

A detailed look at the impact of the budget on living standards from @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social. Scrapping the two-child cap will genuinely lift hundreds of thousands of children from poverty - but what about the other measures announced?

US military attacks on Venezuela are in flagrant violation of international law. This Trump-led push to war must be challenged at every level. Carol Turner @labourcnd.bsky.social speaks to Venezuela Solidarity Campaign Secretary Dr Francisco Dominguez.

“Instead of eroding fundamental rights, the government must commit to fully resourcing and staffing our courts.” @pcsunion.bsky.social have condemned Lammy's proposals to restrict the right to trial by jury.

“Without meaningful action on taxing extreme wealth, this Budget does not yet provide secure, long-term investment or break with austerity" Read the @fbunational.bsky.social's response to the budget 👇 labouroutlook.org/2025/11/29/r...

Solidarity with everyone marching for Palestine today 🇵🇸 @pscupdates.bsky.social have also launched a lobby tool to put pressure on MPs to take action against Israel's use of banned cluster munitions and demand an end to contracts with arms manufacturer Elbit Systems.

The tax reforms announced are still just tweaking the current unfair system. They won't raise anywhere near the funding necessary to deliver the transformational change needed in our society. @pcsunion.bsky.social responds to the budget.

The scrapping of the 2 child limit is a victory for everyone who campaigned against the cruel Tory-era policy. But more action is needed to tackle the scourge of poverty and inequality. Read @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social's take on the budget. labouroutlook.org/2025/11/28/j...

What young people really want to see from the budget is a budget that centres around living standards, tackling inequality, and fair taxation. Student activist Vincent Conquest writes ahead of the budget.

@brianleishmanmp.bsky.social, who lost the Labour whip earlier this year for fighting against disability cuts, calls for real change to tackle the deepening crisis. Rising poverty, food insecurity, spiralling energy bills & housing costs - all while wages stagnate.

With services collapsing and millions struggling to make ends meet, we must fight for real security for working people. That means challenging the establishment scare stories and the push for even greater military spending, writes Chris Nineham @stwc.bsky.social. labouroutlook.org/2025/11/24/i...

The UK Government is turning a blind eye to the growing desire for a United Ireland in the North and the South. Geoff Bell, Labour Movement for Irish Unity, picks apart Hilary Benn's dismissal of the real political situation in Ireland. labouroutlook.org/2025/11/21/h...

"This is a system in crisis." Education staff wellbeing has dropped to the lowest level since 2019. The @neunion.bsky.social is calling for proper funding and staffing to protect teachers from burnout.

MPs, trade unionists and civil society figures have called on the Prime Minister to reverse Britain's nuclear expansion and stop the purchase of nuclear-capable jets. The letter coordinated by the @cnduk.bsky.social was handed into Downing Street this week.

40 MPs call on Rachel Reeves to tax wealth at next week's budget! "Britain cannot thrive when wealth accumulates at the top while millions struggle to make ends meet." The letter was coordinated by Green New Deal Rising and Taxpayers Against Poverty. labouroutlook.org/2025/11/20/4...

The @fbunational.bsky.social slams the record of Reform’s ‘flagship council’. “This situation is a shambles and a threat to public safety."

The @rmtunion.bsky.social is stepping up its national campaign to end outsourcing with a day of action on Wednesday. “The Government has a responsibility to ensure all outsourced rail workers are brought in-house as part of an integrated, publicly owned system.”

Mamdani’s victory gives us hope that anti-war and pro-Palestine voices can prevail. Stop the War Coalition responds to Mamdani's inspiring victory.

The disability pay gap now stands at 15.5%. That means disabled workers are effectively working for free for the last 49 days of the year. Disabled workers deserve fair pay, equal treatment, and workplaces that value their contribution - @pcsunion.bsky.social.

Education unions challenge the Government's poor pay package 👇 labouroutlook.org/2025/11/11/g...

In just a few days, over 10,000 people have backed @richardburgon.bsky.social's call to tax wealth and fund urgent action on the cost of living crisis. You can add your name to the open letter to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor ✍👇

Given a UK Treasury strapped for cash, the unsolved problem of nuclear waste, and it being a potential target in future wars, why is the government so fixated with nuclear power? Does Britain really need nuclear power? - @cnduk.bsky.social

Support the @pcsunion.bsky.social strike against chronic low pay at the British Library! "This dispute isn’t just about pay - it’s about dignity, respect, and the future of our national institutions."

Our protest rights are under attack - with yet more draconian legislation aimed at repressing Palestine protests in the works. @pscupdates.bsky.social have launched a petition in defence of our right to protest ✍👇

Marxist economist Michael Roberts looks at why the major economies remain in "a Long Depression", which started after the 2008 recession. In the last 17 years, economic expansion has been well below the pre-2008 rate, with no sign of any step change.

In response to Trump's increasingly threatening military attacks on Venezuela, a new emergency statement has been launched. Backed by leading MPs, writers, trade unionists, and peace campaigners in Britain NO to Trump’s war on Venezuela 🚨

“You can’t stop a flood or a shrivelled harvest by dropping a bomb on it.” Greener Jobs Alliance looks at the recent intelligence report describing the destabilising impact of the climate and nature crises on national security.

Firefighters are pushed “far beyond safe limits” on bonfire night without the resources needed. "The government must reverse austerity and fund public services to keep firefighters, and the public, safe" - Steve Wright, @fbunational.bsky.social.

“We must continue to speak up for international law, for self-determination and for human rights for all.” @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social on the military escalation towards Venezuela 👇

The @fbunational.bsky.social raises the alarm over plans to cut Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. “Labour must end this austerity and provide the investment that fire and rescue services desperately need.”

“The British government has disgracefully failed to join the criticism being voiced in Latin America and the US of Trump’s illegal actions.” The UK Government stays silent as Trump's aggression against Venezuela intensifies, writes Tim Young.

PCS have launched a Tax Justice policy report, with progressive and popular measures like a Wealth Tax and equalising Capital Gains Tax. "We need a fair, wide-ranging and redistributive tax policy" - Fran Heathcote, @pcsunion.bsky.social.

The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction. Trump's China U-turn has wrong-footed Britain's China war hawks and those ramping up anti-China rhetoric. Analysis from Steve Howell. .

“We need the Health Secretary to step up, come forward with a proper offer on jobs, on pay.” The BMA have announced plans for new industrial action, with job shortages and pay restoration at the centre of their dispute with the Government.

The current European political landscape is dominated by the right. Yet Spain's left-wing government is a real alternative to far-right policies and an economic and social model for the left. @european-left.bsky.social take a look at Spain's progressive alternative.

“If companies, individuals and other governments can no longer trust that the dollar will hold its purchasing power for goods and services, they start to sell dollars for gold.” Economist Michael Roberts looks at what's behind the gold boom.

"Why would anyone want to entrust Britain’s security to a bloc dominated by people who are so carefree about the wars they start?" Steve Howell takes a look at NATO's history and the attacks against Zarah Sultana after her call for Britain to withdraw from it.

There is a great danger that the far right will reap the benefits of the political instability in France. Vincent Boulet @european-left.bsky.social calls for the broadest possible mobilisation of all the country’s progressive forces to come together and counter this.

International socialists joined left activists to share their struggles and build solidarity at this year's @TWT_NOW. Ollie Probert Hill reports back from the left festival.

The press and so-called world leaders are acting as if Israel’s oppression of Gaza and the Palestinian people have ended. Yet the breaches and bombings by Israel already show that they regard this ceasefire as the same as all those that went before.

“At this pivotal moment, local authorities have an opportunity to speak up, with the courage of their convictions, and reject this anti-migrant rhetoric.” The Migrant Champions Network have launched a model motion for councils against the scapegoating of migrants 👇

“A victory for Connolly would be a huge shot in the arm for the parties of the Left and progressive forces in Ireland.” The Irish Presidential election takes place today, with independent left candidate Catherine Connolly leading the polls!