Bradford protests against kids' service cuts

Protesting against cuts to Bradford children's centre, photo Bradford Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)

Socialist Party members joined a protest in Bradford city centre on 10 February in response to Ł13 million of cuts to prevention and early help child services.

Around 50 people attended, including Unite union representatives, council workers and families that have been helped by these services.

A local Unite rep told the protest that 437 people are to lose their jobs.

I spoke at the protest to talk about cuts in Bradford in general. I felt it was important to do so as they all have a knock-on effect.

Especially in the case of the planned 'sustainability and transformation plan' NHS cuts in West Yorkshire, such as reducing the number of stroke units.

Often it is the job of child services to support disabled or ill parents. If there is no support, who is going help stroke victims with childcare and travel during rehabilitation?

Julie Carr, Bradford Socialist Party

Donate to the Socialist Party

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.