Campaigns - In brief

Sheffield Sure Start

250 people protested in December outside Sheffield town hall against the Labour council's planned slashing of Sure Start children's centres and nurseries.

The council is aiming to cut Ł3.5 million. 19 of the 36 centres have been earmarked for closure. All remaining centres will be downgraded.

200 parents and children packed into a council cabinet meeting - which had to be moved to another room to fit everyone in.

Emma Chadwick, whose three year old autistic son attends Darnall nursery, presented the 1,500 signature petition to the meeting.

Save Sheffield Early Years services - March and rally. Saturday 19 January, Assemble 11am Devonshire Green

Sharron Milsom

West Yorkshire Fire

On Friday 21 December, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority met to pass Ł7 million worth of annual cuts to its budget.

But pressure from campaigners resulted in four of the six fire stations that were to be closed remaining open, but with less staff and fire appliances. Haworth fire station has a two year reprieve.

Other cutbacks went through, although not without some minor amendments, meaning that Ł3 million less has been cut than planned.

Iain Dalton

Brighton council tax

A petition of 700 signatures opposing cuts to council tax benefit was presented to the Green-led Brighton and Hove council.

The Socialist Party organised a lobby outside the council building.

The money that pays for council tax benefits is being cut by the government in April. In August it was reported that an 81-year old woman from Hove was jailed for 10 days for not paying council tax.

It is estimated that up to half the revenue 'raised' by cutting the benefit will be spent on enforcement!

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Finance appeal

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 click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.