The Trades Union Congress is hosting a major seminar on developing a positive agenda for disability and employment in face of government reforms and cuts.

Some 35,000 people have descended on the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester to oppose 'vicious' cuts in public spending.

Members of churches, trade unions and community groups are pledging to live on £1-a-day from 2-6 May to raise funds and in solidarity with the global poor.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber used his visit to the University of the West of England to set out a full alternative to government cuts and austerity.