Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/625/9552
From The Socialist newspaper, 19 May 2010
Fast news
New records
AS 'NICE' Dave Cameron and 'corporal' Clegg cheerfully announced the immediate slashing of £6 billion in public spending (involving thousands of public sector job losses), the latest employment figures showed that unemployment is now at its highest level since 1994.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of unemployed people increased by 53,000 over the last quarter to reach 2.51 million (8% unemployment rate). The numbers in work fell by 76,000 in the three months to March to 28.9 million, pushing the employment rate to a 13-year low of 72%.
The number of people unemployed for more than 12 months increased by 94,000 over the quarter to reach 757,000, the highest figure since the three months to May 1997 - when the Tories were last in office.
The number of part-time workers, many because they cannot find full-time jobs, has gone over one million. This figure is an all-time record and a 45% increase since the economic recession began two years ago.
New jobs
THE TORY/LIB Dem coalition government has engaged in some job creation - by appointing 100 new peers! This act won't however dent the unemployment figures as the latest bunch of expenses-grabbing Lords will be the usual mix of former MPs and businessmen.
The new intake of ermine collared wasters is expected to include: Angela Knight, the former Tory MP and head of the British Bankers' Association, Simon Wolfson, the Next chief executive, and Sir Anthony Bamford, the chairman of JCB.
Leading by example
IN AN attempt to inspire the nation into accepting savage cuts in our pay and public services, the Tory-Lib Dem coalition cabinet announced a 5% pay cut from ministerial salaries.
However, PM nice Dave will still receive £142,500 on top of his MP's pay of £64,766. In fact, the total cabinet salary cuts only amount to £181,000 a year.
Meanwhile, many low paid workers will be hard hit by pay freezes (cuts), and a likely rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% before the end of next year.
Liberals nuked
THE LIB Dems have dealt a heavy blow to their environmentalist supporters by saying they will not oppose the Tories continuing the previous Labour government's plans for a new generation of nuclear power stations.
In their 2010 election manifesto the Lib Dems said that they were opposed to building new nuclear plants, largely on the grounds of costs. They now say they will only abstain when it comes to the vote, providing there is no government subsidy involved.
However, the Tory/Lib Dem coalition agreement says it will move to install a lower limit - or floor price - on carbon allowances that power generator companies have to buy to cover their emissions. This will effectively give a windfall to nuclear suppliers.
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In The Socialist 19 May 2010:
Action needed to save our services
Workplace news
Vote Roger Bannister in the Unison general secretary election
British Airways: Another intolerable court judgment
Youth fight for jobs
Youth need job creation, not job slaughter
Socialist Party election analysis
Time for the fight of our lives
Socialist Party news and analysis
Building Coventry Socialist Party after the election
Support for socialists Ian Page and Chris Flood
Packed out London meeting looks to fight against cuts
International socialist news and analysis
Initiative for a week of European-wide protests
Italy: ControCorrente socialists support CWI
Thailand's government orders bloody crackdown on protesters
Kazakhstan: "Thanks comrades for support"
USA: Putting forward a Socialist Alternative in Seattle
Marxist analysis: history
The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution by Harold Isaacs
Obituary
Peter Hadden - an inspiring life for socialism
Socialist Party workplace news
Communication Workers Union conference: Hands off Royal Mail!
Bus workers gear up for action
RMT ballots Tube Lines workers
National Shop Stewards Network conference: International rally planned
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