Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/614/8934
From The Socialist newspaper, 3 March 2010
Stop council cuts
The savage implications of the cuts-cuts-cuts mantra of New Labour, Tories and the LibDems are clear even before the general election. The Institute of Fiscal Studies estimates that local councils are budgeting for cuts of up to 170,000 jobs! No wonder local campaigns are springing up all over the country.
The government has drawn up a ten-point plan to help councils 'protect' frontline services. It is doubtful that even the authors of this plan believe these "radical efficiency reforms" will do anything other than devastate vital services.
Local opposition
But they must not get away with it. Birmingham council plans to shed £75 million from the city's budget threatening 2,000 jobs. There is no doubt that services will seriously deteriorate with fewer staff. But 150 trade unionists and anti-cuts protesters braved ice cold weather and driving snow to demonstrate against this slaughtering of services.
On Wednesday 24 February Kirklees council met to endorse £400 million in budget cuts. Leeds city council is poised to shed 300 jobs, in addition to approximately 1,200 over the past six years.
But as Kirklees council were undermining a community, trade unionists, socialists, and "generally concerned citizens" protested against the cuts under the banner of 'Save Our Services', a grassroots campaign group.
A vigorous campaign of industrial action, backed up with community campaigns, is urgently needed in every area to defend public services.
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In The Socialist 3 March 2010:
Fighting for jobs, services and conditions
PCS: All Out to Defend Jobs and Services
Youth fight for jobs
Invest in jobs, education & Training
Cut the working hours, not the jobs!
Portsmouth students and workers unite to fight cuts
Brighton students say: Save our nursery
EMA inadequacy impacts badly on students
International socialist news and analysis
Greece - millions take part in general strike
Spain: Thousands join mass demonstrations
Socialist Party news and analysis
Activists launch socialist challenge
Walsgrave hospital Coventry: Stop the parking charges rip-off
Socialist Party workplace news
Where is the BA cabin crew dispute going?
Smash the bosses' construction blacklist!
Leeds lecturers win concessions - but cuts remain to be fought
Unison
Unison general secretary election: Nominate Roger Bannister
Legal ruling exposes hypocrisy of Unison leadership
The Socialist Interview
FBU general secretary speaks to The Socialist
Socialist Party women
Women will be at the fore in the fightback!
Media
Global media monster News International condemned
The hounding of Tommy Sheridan
Savage cuts planned at the Beeb
Football
Supporters should own Pompey, not developers
Socialist Party feature
The worldwide thievery of big business
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