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What we think
Spending Review. Unions must resist return to austerity
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spending review should be a wake-up call to the trade union leaders. Even from the capitalists’ point of view there was no immediate need to impose a pay cut – which is what a pay freeze means in reality – on 1.5 million public sector workers.
Spending Review
What will the spending review mean for me?
Five Socialist Party members respond to the spending review, and what it means for youth, pensioners, schools, councils and those out of work.
Napo kickstarts fight against pay freeze
At my first meeting on the national executive committee (NEC) of probation union Napo, I put forward an emergency motion to launch a campaign against the pay freeze.
News
Better for billionaires. Worse for workers
Back in August, Boris Johnson promised a “world beating” track-and-trace system. Most people agree that didn’t happen but the government and economy are ‘world beating’ in other respects.
Arcadia and Debenhams closures: Nationalise to save jobs and pensions
News of the collapse into administration of retail consortium Arcadia – owners of Topshop, Burton and Dorothy Perkins – with the threat to 13,000 jobs, was followed by the announcement that Debenhams department stores will probably close, axing 12,000 jobs.
Scotland: Campaign wins end to period poverty
In a first of its kind globally, the Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Act was enshrined into law in Scotland on 24 November, laying the foundations for eradicating period poverty for Scottish women.
NHS: Underfunded, understaffed, underpaid
Devolution
Workplace News
Don’t let the festive season be one of misery for retail workers
Equity union conference calls for radical change – now lead a fight!
Solidarity with Brighton UCU strike – we won’t pay for Covid crisis
East London teachers strike in support of victimised union rep
Heathrow workers strike against ‘fire and rehire’ plans
Hackney: Stop plan to halve school support staff!
Pay freeze protest Homerton Hospital
Around twelve NHS staff held a socially distanced protest at Homerton Hospital against Rishi Sunak’s pay freeze, on Wednesday 25 November
Unison general secretary ballot closes
Environment
‘Building back greener’ – yet more Tory greenwash
The Tories announced on 17 November their ten-point plan to tackle climate change, and reach a net-zero emissions target by 2050
International News
Conflict in Ethiopia: ethnic-linguistic divisions are the historical product of capitalist inequality
Marxism
Review: Friedrich Engels – Condition of the working class in England
Campaigns
The Socialist Party hosted Socialism 2020, a series of online workshops and rallies, from 20-23 November
Wales TUSC plans to mount an electoral challenge
Rent strikers’ victory in Manchester student halls
Labour meeting lets MP get away with ‘Spycops’ abstention
Young members from Devon Socialist Party ran a Friday lunch-time campaign stall outside Exeter College
Reader’s opinion
Fast fashion, big profits, low pay