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From The Socialist newspaper, 6 January 2016
Floods, climate change and capitalism
The Tory government has blamed climate change for the floods which have devastated northern England and parts of Scotland.
However, these extreme weather events were entirely predictable. In fact, cabinet ministers were advised just days before storm Desmond hit Cumbria that such floods would occur and that current flood defences were inadequate because of spending cuts.
However, Prime Minister David Cameron ignored these concerns in order to pursue his austerity agenda. Consequently, thousands of homes, shops and businesses have been ruined, costing billions of pounds.
The Tories - having been severely criticised in 2013, when in coalition, for cuts to the Environment Agency's flood defence budget - have attempted to parry renewed criticism by pledging an extra £40 million spending - a fraction of the cuts made since 2010.
Moreover, a 40% reduction in council funding by the government over the last five years has also resulted in abandoned flood defence schemes and a lack of maintenance of existing defences.
Clearly, measures to protect communities against the effects of climate change require a fight to defeat government austerity 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 6 January 2016:
What we think
2016: Crisis-ridden capitalism will meet with bitter mood of resistance
No retreat on resisting council cuts!
Socialist Party news and analysis
Support junior doctors' and student nurses' action
Another black man shot dead by the police
UK's private rail fares six times public rates
Birmingham Labour to axe at least 1,200 jobs in £165m cuts onslaught
UK wage growth will be lowest since 1920s
NHS England chiefs block hospitals from publicising emergencies
What we saw: Sadiq Khan's promises on London transport
Socialist Party feature
Floods, climate change and capitalism
Carlisle Socialist Party's action plan on floods
Profit system exacerbates flooding
Tories' hypocritical green policies pledge
Renationalise the water industry
International socialist news and analysis
No government majority as Podemos partially recovers
Workplace news and analysis
Union action needed to defeat attack on student nurses
Nationalise rail now! Rail workers strike around the country
Steel: public ownership needed as private buyers threaten pay and pensions
Condescending Tories savage Yorkshire fire service
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Dark comic book fantasy throws light on abusive relationships
"I chose to be involved in politics, Michael Crick"
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
A 'People's Budget' to defeat cruel cuts
Stop the closure of Calderstones hospital!
2015 marks best fighting fund total this century!
Eleanor Marx: celebrate a life of struggle for socialism
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