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What we think
Bosses push to lift lockdown – they only care about profits
This week will mark seven weeks since Britain entered lockdown. It appears that the death rate from Covid-19 is finally starting to fall. Nonetheless, the official number of deaths is now higher than every other European country
Coronavirus news
I’ve spent most of this week in the ‘cold’ emergency department, still wearing mask and apron, X-raying patients with broken bones, serious gastric issues, cancer and so on
Bail out the real wealth creators, not the rich
Remember the bank bailout after the 2007-08 crisis? The banks went cap in hand to the taxpayer while their executives continued to receive multimillion-pound bonuses.
Homes needed to end overcrowding
The revelation that people living in poorer areas of the country are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as those in affluent areas, according to the Office for National Statistics, will not be a surprise to readers of the Socialist, writes Dave Carr, East London Socialist Party.
Homeless left on streets during pandemic
On 29 March, the government told local councils and outreach teams to bring all rough sleepers into accommodation, writes Andrea Gilbert, homelessness worker.
Pay full fees for virtual courses? – No way!
The HE sector faces a massive funding ‘black hole’ which could see thousands of job losses if the government does not step in
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Test and trace
Test and trace: workers need a real plan
Tories using pandemic to shift lab testing out of NHS
The Tories have set up a parallel structure to the existing NHS laboratories network, involving big private companies, and a mixture of unidentified and unqualified staff, writes a NHS laboratory worker.
Workplace news
Nationalise British Airways to stop 12,000 redundancies
British Airways’ announcement of 12,000 redundancies represents an opportunistic attack on its workforce, writes a British Airways worker.
Postal workers force Royal Mail back
No increase in transport capacity without adequate safety precautions for workers and passengers
There are reports the government is considering abandoning advice to maintain two metres social distancing, write RMT members in London.
Unsafe Workplace? “It’s up to you” PCS tells reps and members
PCS union reps and members at Paisley Jobcentre walked out on 24 April. Following an outbreak of Covid-19 in their office, they reached an agreement allowing staff to go home
Further protests in Ireland against Debenhams closures – UK fightback needed
Among the slew of retail companies entering administration, Debenhams has the highest profile, not least for only recently coming out of administration after closures, write Socialist Party members in Usdaw.
Rolls Royce threatens 8,000 job losses
Rolls Royce has announced a possible and imminent 8,000 redundancies. This was explained as ‘necessary’ because of huge cuts in production by aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus
EDF Energy workers furloughed on 100% pay
International news
India: Fighting the curse of capitalism and coronavirus
US: Trump’s public health cuts have condemned thousands worldwide
Trump puts profit before safety (again)
Lessons from history
The Tyneside apprentices’ strike during WW2
Obituary
Readers’ opinion
Going viral: Socialist comments and letters on the corona crisis
The Covid-19 pandemic is a world social crisis which touches every aspect of life. The iniquities and failings of the capitalist system are being exposed
TV Review BBC Panorama: PPE shortage – how many lives will be lost?