Rachel Reeves own Constituency Party, Leeds West and Pudsey, has opposed the ill-health and disability benefit cuts that the government is proposing to push through. There was no support for the policy. Below is the motion that was passed. No cuts to Disability benefits Our Labour government has announced cuts of more than £6bn to … Continue reading Rachel Reeves CLP opposes disability benefit cuts
Category: Austerity
FBU General Secretary Steve Wright has called on Labour MPs to vote against disability benefit cuts
FBU General Secretary Steve Wright has called on Labour MPs to vote against disability benefit cuts when they come to a vote next month. Steve told the BBC "The most vulnerable and poorest in society are being asked to pay for a crisis they didn't cause. I don't believe that is why people are involved … Continue reading FBU General Secretary Steve Wright has called on Labour MPs to vote against disability benefit cuts
The government should abandon its ill-health and disability benefit cuts
Our campaign is calling on Labour MPs to demand the government abandon these cuts. If it proceeds with them then they should vote against them. We share the widespread outrage at the government's proposed cuts to ill-health and disability benefits. The Guardian got it right when it said “It is shameful for a Labour government … Continue reading The government should abandon its ill-health and disability benefit cuts
Austerity by another name: “Exceptional Financial Support”
There can be no resolution of the housing crisis without a break from austerity The financial crisis of local government is spiralling out of control. 30 councils have been granted “Exceptional Financial Support” which offers no support but only more debt. Does this impact on Housing Revenue Accounts, which are 'ring-fenced'? How does the crisis … Continue reading Austerity by another name: “Exceptional Financial Support”
Councils need government funding not more debt
News that Newham Borough Council has requested “exceptional financial support” due to “temporary accommodation housing pressures amounting to £100m over three years”, underlines what is at stake in the Budget due on October 30th. The government has been warned by councils that there is a likelihood of more and more of them issuing section 114 … Continue reading Councils need government funding not more debt
Mick Whitley calls for ‘wealth tax and genuinely progressive tax reforms’
Mick Whitley, Labour MP for Birkenhead, is supporting our Open Letter for resolving the local government and housing crises. Here are extracts from his speech to Parliament in response to the budget. “The British public understand what this government does not, that you cannot cut your way to growth. They remember how the Tories ideologically … Continue reading Mick Whitley calls for ‘wealth tax and genuinely progressive tax reforms’
Local government financial crisis: 19 councils granted “Exceptional Financial Support”
Nineteen councils have been given “Exceptional Financial Support” for the next financial year, 2024/25 and 8 for this financial year, 2023/4. The term “support” sounds like like government money, but in fact it is merely permission to borrow or to sell off assets. This may stave off councils issuing section 114 notices until after the … Continue reading Local government financial crisis: 19 councils granted “Exceptional Financial Support”
Politicians “must dare to be bold” – the self-made economic straitjacket for a Labour government, should be abandoned
Our Open Letter on resolving the local government and housing crises quoted a Guardian editorial which said that the next government would either “have to repudiate Jeremy Hunt's cuts or enact them”. A similar point has been made by Jim Pickard and Sam Fleming in the Financial Times (‘Hemmed in’: Labour stores up trouble with … Continue reading Politicians “must dare to be bold” – the self-made economic straitjacket for a Labour government, should be abandoned
Fire Fighters’ Manifesto – investment not cuts
The FBU has produced a Manifesto for the forthcoming General Election. The Firefighters' Manifesto | Fire Brigades Union (fbu.org.uk) Although it is directed at all Parties, with Labour likely to go into government, the FBU will be fighting for its members interests and for an improved fire service. It is affiliated to the Party. The … Continue reading Fire Fighters’ Manifesto – investment not cuts
Labour’s choice: “repudiate Hunt’s disastrous cuts or enact them”
The Autumn statement offers austerity to local government and nothing for council housing “...the Labour Party has largely retreated to a similar pro-market and low-tax agenda as the Conservatives but with an emphasis on equality of opportunity and choice. This is a mistake which is amplified by the historic chance offered by the Tories poor … Continue reading Labour’s choice: “repudiate Hunt’s disastrous cuts or enact them”
Labour Campaign for Council Housing 