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Devon foster carers fight 30% cut in allowances
Foster carers and supporters protest outside a Devon Council meeting, photo by Sean Brogan (Click to enlarge)
Sean Brogan, former foster carer and Exeter Socialist Party
If austerity is over, no-one told the Tory councillors of Devon County Council. Foster carers are to have their allowances cut by 30%. Already they have no rights and live a precarious existence with no guarantee of income. Many are single parents having to meet rent and mortgage commitments.
The reductions will be made after so-called 'consultations'. This practice is sham democracy. The council says the policy will be "fairer and more equitable", attracting more foster carers.
The underlying truth is that the Tories have an agenda of moving all services to private provision. Recently one such private fostering company was sold for £100 million! Fostering children is now about profit for some.
Devon foster carers are fighting back - many have joined the Foster Care Workers Union which is a branch of the IWGB union.
At a recent council meeting, councillors were subject to a barrage of noise and speeches - "no ifs, no buts, no foster care cuts!" - as Henry Lopez, IWGB president travelled from London along with Sandra Anderson, organiser of the Foster Carer's Union to give no-nonsense speeches about the callous way foster carers are being treated.
Foster carers may be seen as a soft target but not when they are organised. Exeter Trade Union Council brought support along with several branches of Unite Community and Exeter Socialist Party.
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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.
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