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The current Labour government has made the indefensible choice to further worsen the lives of the most vulnerable. The planned cuts to Personal Independence Payments, Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance are a disgrace to the people they are elected to serve.
While it is increasingly clear that many MPs have no background in the labour and social movements that seek to empower people who the system fails, their offices will have heard in no uncertain terms the detrimental impact that austerity 2.0 will have on millions of people. The inhumanity of those who hold power in this country is in plain view for us all to see.
The Labour government is spending its time pandering to lobbyists and punishing those least able to advocate for themselves. If they continue down this path, they will be responsible for the death and despair that follows. The government’s own figures claim that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children will be pushed into poverty; figures from the Joseph Rowntree foundation argue this figure is closer to 400,000 people.
If the government cared about inequality it would be implementing taxes on the wealthiest, who continue to extract unfathomable levels of wealth from our communities. A wealth tax of just 2% on assets over £10 million would raise £24 billion per year.
When this government claims it must cut welfare or social spending, it is not because of real financial necessity. It is because they prioritise the interests of the ruling class. These cuts are yet another redistribution of wealth upwards. This government seeks to weaken the social safety net so that workers are more dependent on their employers, less likely to organise, and more easily replaced.
If the government really wanted to make ‘savings’ in their budget, then we suggest they look at the projected £70 billion that will be spent on local housing allowance between 2024-2029 which goes straight into the pockets of private landlords. We are years into a chronic housing shortage yet the government has made no attempt to address the fact that unaffordability underpins this crisis. Introducing rent controls, and investing in council housing, would not only save a significant amount of public money in the short and long term, more importantly it would improve the living standards of millions.
We are acutely aware that many of our members across the city will be paralysed with fear following the decisions announced this week. If you need us, please reach out, it’s up to us to continue to look after one another. Please also support movements such as Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and ensure your MP has heard your voice.
For housing issues, please email us at , detailing the broad nature of your issue and your contact details. We offer free casework for a range of issues including disrepair, threat of homelessness, discrimination or harassment from landlords/agents, observing at landlord inspections or council compliance visits, rent increases, deposit issues, eviction notices and support for holding landlords to account.