The London School of Economics found that average pay for bosses at FTSE 100 firms is now £4.6 million a year. Meanwhile, the Royal Bank of Scotland paid its chief executive £3.8 million for losing £2 billion in 2015.

Even when they're not scuppering the economy, top bosses' and shareholders' pay is pure theft. Workers make all the wealth they portion out among themselves. Let's take it back off them, and plan its use democratically to meet our needs, not their profit targets.

...women underpaid

Women earn almost £300,000 less over their careers than men.

Figures from recruitment firm Robert Half described an average 24% gap between men and women's salaries. The impact of childcare means women are likely to be in lower-paid jobs or miss opportunities for advancement. That's on top of gender discrimination in education, hiring and promotions.

Over a 52-year career, the £5,732 annual gap amounts to £298,064. The Socialist fights for free childcare and education, and secure, well-paid employment for all workers. For a socialist society free from discrimination, where everyone can reach their full potential.

'Democracy' hypocrisy

The Tories' planned Trade Union Bill will force unions to count abstentions as votes against striking. It will insist on minimum thresholds for some workers - 40% overall on a minimum 50% turnout - before unions can take action.

No such restrictions for the establishment's 'democratic' attacks on workers.

Readers may want to search for actual responses to 'budget consultations' that councils publish as justification for cuts. One reader noticed that Labour-controlled Derbyshire County Council claimed support for a council tax rise of 4% and huge cuts to services.

Yet the total number of respondents was under 900, out of a population of 780,000. Even allowing for those under voting age, this means those 'supporting' the council amount to well under 0.5%!

'Darren', trade union organiser

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Finance appeal

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.