In this week's issue:

The Socialist 11 May 2011, issue Fight for the NHS

Fight for the NHS

Who's banking on the NHS, photomontage by Chris Bird and Leon Kuhn

The Tory/Lib Dem coalition has voted through the Health and Social Care Bill, now at report stage, which will lead to wholesale privatisation of the NHS...

PCS conference: prepare for united action on 30 June

Part of the PCS contingent on the massive 26 March TUC demonstration, photo Senan

John McInally, national vice-president of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), explains, in a personal capacity, some of the main issues facing delegates to this year's conference...

Crucial time for Saltend dispute

Defending trade unionism on London Underground

Poverty minimum wage

Library cuts hit staff and users: time for action against the cuts

Workplace news in brief

Students occupy against cuts at London Met

Students protest against cuts, photo by Senan

On 4 May 30 students began an occupation of London Metropolitan University in defence of courses and services there, writes Claire Laker-Mansfield, National organiser, Socialist Students.

For sale: university places

Government Con-Demned at ballot box

TUC demonstration 26 March 2011, photo Dave Beale

The general election of May 2010 seems a lifetime ago. For the 1,000 richest people in Britain, whose wealth has increased by 18%, the year that followed has been a resounding success.

TUSC shows alternative to Con-Dem and Labour cuts

Labour wins Welsh Assembly election -

SNP landslide – but it will be a government of savage cuts

Defend independent living rights

Pensioners and elderly disabled people protesting against cuts in services outside Waltham Forest council, photo Paul Mattsson

In April, Elaine McDonald, a former prima ballerina with the Scottish Ballet, took her fight to maintain her dignity and stop cuts to her care package to the Supreme Court, an Independent Living Fund user writes.

Con-Dems put squeeze on democratic rights

Bahrain repression: Muted criticism of West's ally

Suffolk Tories in retreat?

News in brief

UN report on Sri Lanka war crimes

100,000 strong demonstration calling for an end to the war in the north of Sri Lanka , photo Paul Mattsson

How can justice and democratic rights be secured?: A United Nations (UN) report published on 29 April on the final phase of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009 reveals "credible allegations" of war crimes perpetrated by the ruling regime of president Mahinda Rajapaksa...

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Robert Tressell Banner, made for the Robert Tressell Society in Hastings, showing The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.

Book review and anniversary: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell is a classic book, which every socialist should read...

Review: Panorama on housing: The human impact of the crisis