News and socialist analysis

Fighting sexual harassment and gender violence on campus

Given the appalling rates of sexual harassment and violence on university, college and school campuses, it is no surprise that young women and students have been at the forefront of recent protests and vigils called in response to the murder of Sarah Everard.

Can the capitalist media prevent socialist change?

The first in an occasional series of socialist answers to the big questions.

Violence against women - we will not be silenced

Defend the right to protest: Saturday 13 March. They came in their thousands, defying the undemocratic establishment ban on peaceful vigils. Women and men in towns and cities up and down the country were determined to remember Sarah Everard

Justice for victims of gender violence

There was understandable outrage at the appalling scenes of police brutality against women peacefully taking part in the vigil for Sarah Everard on Clapham Common.

Oppose bans on vigils - Defend the right to protest

The high court upheld the Met police's ban on a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard

The 'old normal' meant poverty for young people

The budget was another nail in the coffin for the prospects of young people. Pre-Covid Britain was nothing to write home about regarding youth unemployment.

NHS pay - 15% now

Trade unions must organise for strike action:
Staff are outraged. 1%, or an extra £3.50 a week for an experienced nurse, is not just a slap in the face for NHS workers, it's a pay cut compared to the cost of living.

Super-deduction will help big business pay less tax

The Tories are introducing 'super-deduction' for the next two years before corporation tax marginally rises

Workers respond to 'back to school'

A mockery of everything we've done: Schools opened on Monday 8 March, and we don't know if we are inhaling or exhaling. Here we go again - bubbles, disinfectant, and social distancing in tight spaces.

Tories keep bailing out bosses, while piling pain on workers and public services

Reading the headlines about Tory Chancellor Rishi Sunak's budget, some working-class people may have let out a small sigh of relief that at least the furlough scheme and the £20 increase in Universal Credit are continuing for a few more months

NHS workers say: We are ready to fight Tory pay insult

I've struggled to comment on the insulting real-term pay cut proposed by the government. I'm not naive, during clap for carers, we said: "Claps don't pay the bills."

Tories keep bailing out bosses, while piling the pain on workers and public services

Sunak's 2021 budget was a budget for the bosses. The working class has no alternative but to organise and fight back.

Not a budget for the working class!

A social tsunami threatens Britain. Two million workers are already on the dole and five million more on furlough, facing an uncertain future when the scheme ends. But the Tories are intent on bailing out the rich.

Women's health matters

Working-class women have suffered enormously during the pandemic. We've been disproportionately hit by job losses, pay cuts, and the additional burden of home schooling and childcare.

Public sector workers respond to the budget

"The financial outlook is volatile." This (under)statement, in Essex County Council's budget document for 2021, could be the strapline for the future of all local government services.

Liverpool Labour meltdown

Thirty five years ago Liverpool's council was leading a mass movement against Thatcher's Tory government.

Johnson's 'road map' for schools: Act together to protect safety

- For a phased return based on infection rates not politicians' dates.

Drivers win case - they are workers

Uber drivers have won their rights case.

Where's the road map to jobs and wages Boris?

Trade unions must fight for lives and livelihoods
Johnson's 'cautious' road map to reopen society from lockdown in England - after over 120,000 Covid deaths and a massive hit to incomes - won't lead to the needed restoration and improvement in living standards.

Starmer's speech a return to New Labour

Keir Starmer's speech contained virtually no policy proposals. But it hammered home his message that the Corbyn era is over.