Tory chancellor George Osborne, photo by altogetherfool (Creative Commons)

Tory chancellor George Osborne, photo by altogetherfool (Creative Commons)   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Tory Chancellor George Osborne is planning more cuts to achieve a budget surplus after admitting that the UK economy is faltering. Former Bank of England chief Mervyn King upped the ante by warning that a repeat of the 2008 financial crash is likely because of an ‘unreformed’ financial system.

So, eight years of austerity has not solved the systemic problems of capitalism. Yet the ruling classes propose more of the same – more cuts in vital services, more hardship for millions of low income and vulnerable people.

As the reports below point to, the trade unions and local communities must coordinate action to pressure councils, in particular Labour-led councils, to refuse to make more cuts. Instead, Labour councils should pass no-cuts budgets, using reserves and borrowing powers. This would buy time to organise a mass revolt against Tory austerity.

This government is weak and has already retreated over tax credits. It can only last if an opposition allows it to do so.