photo National Assembly for Wales (Creative Commons)

photo National Assembly for Wales (Creative Commons)   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

A good start was made to the campaign to save council-run children’s services in Bradford at a public meeting on 5 December, with representation from service users, trade unionists and community campaigners.

The stark facts were laid out – cuts being made to children’s services of £13.3 million are likely to see up to 480 jobs go, and will also affect children’s centres which will be brought into the new service. The workers’ Unite the Union shop steward (who helped organise this meeting) has also been victimised over the issue.

The meeting made it clear that we need trade union action, as well as involving parents and service users to defeat this brutal cut.

Plans were made for immediate action to be taken, starting with stalls in the city centre on Saturdays, a protest on 12 December outside the next Bradford council meeting and a further public meeting on 19 December, 7.30pm at Bradford Deaf Centre.

But socialists, community activists and trade unionists have made it clear the devastating impact these cuts and job losses will have, and will be battling the council all through the festive season.

Bradford Socialist Party