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From The Socialist newspaper, 22 February 2007
Hospitals crisis worsens
MORE THAN a third of hospitals and primary care trusts (PCTs - bodies that pay for local services) are not expected to 'balance their books' this financial year, according to the most recent forecasts.
These 'deficits', that only exist because of the peculiarities of New Labour's pro-market health policies, are forecast to total £1.32 billion.
That will mean more threats to hospitals, more ward closures, more jobless nurses and more attacks on NHS workers' living standards. NHS campaigners must keep up pressure on the health trade unions to organise a massive national protest demonstration against the health service cuts.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 22 February 2007:
Iraq 'surge' doomed to failure
Italy: Thousands march against US military base
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
North Korea: Talks achieve new accord
Anti-war, anti-nuclear, anti-capitalist? Read the socialist!
Socialist Students
Living in debt - with no advice
Socialist Party Congress
Socialist Party news and analysis
Justice for the Shrewsbury pickets
Children at the sharp end of British capitalism
Drug companies squeeze profits out of health
Environment
Climate change - we have to act now
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
CWI world congress: How will new workers' parties be built?
Workplace news and analysis
Unique Care workers plan more protests
Israeli postal workers storm trade union HQ
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