Wednesday 27 October 2010
ANTI-CUTS ACTIVISTS SHUTDOWN VODAFONE FLAGSHIP STORE IN DISGUST AT £6BN TAX EVASION
65 activists have today stopped trading at Vodafone’s largest retail store on Oxford Street, London, by blockading the doorway in disgust at the HMRC’s deal with Vodafone that have allowed them to walk away from paying a tax bill thought to be worth £6bn to the public purse.
The action started at 09:30 this morning where activists gathered at The Ritz hotel near Oxford Street following rapid mobilization over the weekend via Twitter, Facebook, blogs and text messaging.
The 65 activists confronted the minor security in front of the shop to gain entry to the shop and proceeded to blockade the entrance with arm tubes and banners before the store had chance to even receive its first customer.
This comes exactly a week after George Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review in which he announced that another £7bn will be cut from welfare, producing a total of £18bn of cuts from vital welfare services.
These cuts have been widely condemned by charity groups representing the most vulnerable in society, and the highly respected Institute of Fiscal Studies confirmed on Thursday last week that the coalition’s cuts will indeed hit the poorest in society the hardest.
The issue of tax evasion by corporations and the wealthy was not however even mentioned during Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review speech, despite the fact that it is estimated that the deficit to the public purse from tax evasion amounts to at least £12bn each year.
To add salt to the wound, Osborne also announced last week that large corporations in addition will be expected to contribute 4% less in tax to public services across the next four years through a reduction in corporation tax.
Activists on today’s action also note that Andy Halford is both a financial advisor to Vodafone and a corporation tax advisor to the treasury.
Under a banner that read “Pay your taxes - save our welfare state”, Jennifer Kyte said, “The cuts are not fair, we're not all in this together, and there are alternatives. Why not start by collecting - instead of writing off – the tens of billions owed in taxes by wealthy corporations?”
She continued, “The economic downturn was caused by the reckless greed of the private sector, but it is the public sector and those at the bottom that are picking up the bill. Is this their idea of the wonderful Big Society?”
Zeketa Darby said, “We will not pay for their crisis! The public need to join together and hit the streets to take concerted action to fight these cuts”
Taken from Martin Francis Brent Green Party Blog - http://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/
Tuesday 26 October 2010
ANTI CUTS GROUP CONCERNED AT TORY MP’s DEFENCE OF PUBLIC SPENDING CUTS
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| (In Picture L-R - Paul Sandison, Clive Dunkley, Martin Eversfield, Pete McLaren, Mark Pawsey MP, Roy Sandison and Sarah Bennett) |
PRESS RELEASE -
ANTI CUTS GROUP CONCERNED AT TORY MP’s DEFENCE OF PUBLIC SPENDING CUTS
A delegation from Rugby Against the Cuts lobbied Rugby Tory MP Mark Pawsey on Friday (October 22nd) about the recently announced public spending cuts. “There was a frank exchange of views during the hour long meeting,” Rugby Against the Cuts spokesperson Pete McLaren said afterwards. “Although the discussion was generally pleasant and cordial, there was little political agreement as we were expressing the anger being felt by working class people for being made to pay for a crisis they did not cause. We told him we thought those who caused the economic crisis – bankers and governments - should pay for it, whereas Mark Pawsey clearly believes that public services have to be cut to balance the books. We particularly expressed our concerns at the loss of one million jobs, and the redundancies that will inevitably follow; the 28% cut to local Council budgets; and the attacks on welfare, especially on housing and incapacity benefits.”
The group’s Trade Union Liaison Officer Roy Sandison was concerned that Mark Pawsey did not seem to understand how seriously the cuts would affect Rugby. “He could not see that there would be a massive growth in unemployment, with a predicted job loss of one million, and only180,000 jobs created in the private sector last year. He defended the Government’s insistence on targeting welfare benefits for cuts and raising rents for social housing, although we pointed out the effect this would have on those already in poverty. He also felt it was correct to get rid of the Educational Maintenance Allowance for 16 – 19 year olds, despite the effects this would have on youngsters from families on low incomes.”
“Although we did not seem to change his views, overall, the lobby was worth organizing,” Pete McLaren concluded. “Mark Pawsey listened as we outlined our fears, and said he would be happy to meet us again to monitor developments as they occur. He agreed to take up any cases arising from abuse of Health and Safety legislation, provide a list of the quangos affected by the cuts, and look at the effects proposed cuts on children’s services would have in Warwickshire. He also said he would find out the effect housing benefit cuts would have in Rugby. We remain very concerned about the way the Con-Dem Government is cutting without any apparent understanding of the effects of the cuts, but at least our MP was prepared to listen”.
END
NOTES
- Rugby Against the Cuts was set up by local trade unionists and political activists on September 22nd. Officers were elected as above
- Rugby Against the Cuts is holding stalls in Rugby town centre to publicise its opposition to the cuts – the next one will be on October 30th
- Rugby Against the Cuts meets on the second Thursday of every month, 7.30pm, at the Three Horse Shoes, Rugby
- Rugby Against the Cuts can be contacted on 07881 520626, at rugbyagainstthecuts@googlemail.com, or through our web site at http://rugbyagainstthecuts.blogspot.com
Monday 25 October 2010
Leicestershire Against the Cuts March and Rally Sat 30th October
Leicestershire Against the Cuts A march and rally with speakers to protest about Tory cuts in services and jobs
Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 11:00am (set off at 12)
Victoria Park to Clock Tower
Victoria Park Granville Rd, Leicester LE1 7
Sunday 24 October 2010
Thursday 21 October 2010
TODAY'S ANNOUNCED PUBLIC SPENDING CUTS NOT NEEDED OR WANTED
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| Coventry Protest joined by people from Rugby |
RUGBY AGAINST THE CUTS
PRESS RELEASE For immediate use October 20th 2010
TODAY'S ANNOUNCED PUBLIC SPENDING CUTS NOT NEEDED OR WANTED
“The cuts outlined today in the Public Spending Review will cause misery for millions of people, especially the poor,” Rugby Against the Cuts Convenor Pete McLaren stated immediately after the Chancellor’s announcement. “Governments throughout the world are trying to make the poor pay for the global economic crisis – yet the crisis was caused by these Governments and international banks worldwide. Those who caused it should be made to pay for it.”
“We know that these cuts will mean the loss of half a million public sector jobs, and at least the same number in the private sector because of the knock on effect. Many of these will be redundancies. That means one million families will be affected, and, with posts not being filled, far fewer jobs available for the growing number of unemployed. At the same time, the Spending Review includes a savage attack on welfare benefits for those unable to find work, including cuts in housing benefit and limits to incapacity benefits. However, nothing is being done to recover the estimated £120 billion per year of unpaid tax that the wealthy avoid paying through tax invasion. It took over 50 years to establish the Welfare State – the Tories and their Liberal allies will destroy it overnight, with little, if any, meaningful opposition from Labour,” he concluded.
Roy Sandison, one of the group’s Trade Union Liaison officers was concerned that the cuts would still hit schools, social services, public transport, the fire service and housing – whatever the Tories may try to pretend. “You can not cut funding to local Councils by 28% without that happening,” he claimed. “Those who need these services will be denied them, and those who work tirelessly to provide these services will face redundancy, reduced wages and pensions, and greater workloads.”
“The message we want to get over is that there are other ways to remove the debt,” he continued. “Cuts are not inevitable. The banks could repay the £850 billion the Government has given them to bail them out. A 5% wealth tax on the richest 10% would, on its own, resolve the debt. Withdrawing from Afghanistan would save £billions. The banks and building societies, which continue to make massive profits, could be nationalised and run by the people for the people, with profits used to maintain and improve our public services. There are alternatives to these draconian cuts,” he concluded, “and we will continue to put them forward until politicians listen.”
NOTES
- Rugby Against the Cuts was set up by local trade unionists and political activists on September 22nd. Officers were elected as above
- Rugby Against the Cuts is lobbying local MP Mark Pawsey this Friday to put their anti cuts arguments forward
- Rugby Against the Cuts can be contacted on 07881 520626, at rugbyagainstthecuts@googlemail.com, or through our web site at http://rugbyagainstthecuts.blogspot.com
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| London Protest 20 Oct 10 |
Thursday 14 October 2010
SAVE JOBS SAVE SERVICES LOBBY MARK PAWSEY MP FRIDAY 22ND OCT AT 3.30pm
RUGBY AGAINST THE CUTS
SAVE JOBS
SAVE JOBS
SAVE SERVICES
LOBBY MARK PAWSEY MP
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Mark Pawsey Tory MP for Rugby to be called to account for cuts plan |
FRIDAY 22ND OCT AT 3.00PM
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OFFICES
ALBERT STREET RUGBY
* Please contact us if you intend to come to the meeting
REPORT FROM RUGBY AGAINST THE CUTS 07/10/10
IN ATTENDANCE: Roy Sandison (Green Party); Geoff Dewhirst (Unite); Pete McLaren (SA); Clive Dunkley (SP); Paul Sandison (Green Party); Julie Weekes (UCU). Roy Sandison offered to chair.
APOLOGIES – Steve Roberts (FBU); Marcus Giles (FBU); Liz Peck (RRGA); Martin Eversfield (Rugby TUC); Julie Weekes (UCU) - lateness
REPORT FROM MEETING TO SET UP RUGBY AGAINST THE CUTS 22/09/10, AND ANY MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA
The report was agreed as correct. Roy was thanked for creating such a good web site. He suggested setting up a Facebook site as well, which was agreed. It was also agreed to check emails regularly and to include the names of officers on the web site. The SA PO Box – PO Box 4123, Rugby, CV21 9BJ – would be our postal address, and 07881 520626 would be our phone contact (Pete’s mobile). It was further agreed to add to the web site that functional officers had been elected to get the campaign going
REPORT FROM PUBLIC MEETING IN COVENTRY LAST TUESDAY
Roy Sandison reported that around 120 had attended including a number of trade unionists. There was much discussion about solidarity action. It was more a rallying meeting for activists than a forum for community groups, but it had been a positive meeting with useful statistics given.
REPORT FROM THE ANTI CUTS DEMO AT THE TORY CONFERENCE
It was reported that around 7,000 had attended with a large number of TU banners. There had been a wide range of speakers, including Dave Nellist and Salma Yaqoob.
CAMPAIGNING IDEAS
a) LOCAL PUBLIC MEETING? - It was agreed this should be once the cuts were known. It was reported that in Warwickshire the Council was using possible cuts to push through changes, and in addition was planning to close homes for the elderly
B) ACTIVITY ON OCTOBER 20th – The meeting confirmed support for the Coventry protest: 5.30pm outside Coventry Council House
c) LOCAL LEAFLET – Pete McLaren circulated a draft. In light of comments made during the discussion, he agreed to re-draft it as a work in progress which could be used, or adapted, at any time. It was suggested that, for the longer term, we try to come up with a standardised format and logo
d) LOBBY OF MARK PAWSEY MP – It was agreed we should lobby Mark Pawsey to ask him what the Public Spending Review (PSR) would mean for Rugby and Warwickshire, and ask him how he would protect our services. It was further agreed this should be as soon as possible after the PSR on October 20, possibly on Friday Oct 22. Pete McLaren agreed to arrange and then publicise it.
INVOLVING LOCAL TRADE UNIONS
Pete McLaren circulated a draft letter to TUs, political and community groups. It was agreed Pete email it to Roy Sandison to distribute with agreed changes, and print hard copies for Rugby TUC to send out
FINANCE
It was reported Warwickshire FBU had agreed to donate £100. Julie Weekes agreed to set up a bank account in the name ‘Rugby Against the Cuts’, with herself, Pete McLaren and Harry Weekes as signatories
AFFILIATIONS TO AND FROM Rugby Against the Cuts (RAtC)
It was agreed to encourage affiliations to RAtC by donation with a suggested minimum of £10
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed this would be on Thurs October 21, 8 – 9pm at The Three Shoes, to discuss the Public Spending Review, the Lobby of Mark Pawsey MP, and a Press Release on such events.
Pete McLaren 11/10/10
Monday 11 October 2010
SO HOW BAD IS THE UK DEBT PROBLEM COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD? - CON DEM MISINFORMATION EXPOSED!
NATIONAL DEBT – THE FACTS
The national debt of countries represents how much money the government of that country owes. Like a household budget, national debt gets larger when a government spends more than it takes in. This can continue for years, or even decades. This budget deficit is the total amount of this debt that has grown over time, with interest charged adding significantly to the amount owed by the government.
The amount owed varies greatly with the amount of money a country generates, its population and how much its government spends. In Germany, the national debt is $1.79 trillion. This represents 62.6 percent of Germany’s gross domestic product, or GDP. In The U.K. the national debt is $42.2 trillion. This is 47.2 percent of the GDP of the U.K.
In Russia, the national debt is $151.3 billion. This is 6.8 percent of the Russian GDP. Italy owes a national debt of $1.89 trillion, or 103.7 percent of the Italian GDP. The national debt of France is $1.40 trillion. This is 67 percent of France’s GDP.
One of the highest levels of national debt relative to the country’s GDP can be found in Japan. The Japanese national debt is $7.47 trillion. This is 170.4 percent of the Japanese GDP. India has a national debt of $2.55 trillion. This debt is 78 percent of the GDP of India. Zimbabwe has a national debt of $472.51 billion. This level of national debt is 241.2 percent of Zimbabwe’s GDP.
In the Americas, The United States has a national debt of 8.68 trillion. In the U.S., this is 60.8 percent of the American GDP. The Canadian national debt is $814.26 billion. In Canada, the national debt is 62.3 percent of the GDP. In South America, Argentina has a national debt of $293.56 billion. The Argentinean national debt is 51 percent of the GDP of Argentina.
The gross domestic product of a country is the market value of all of the products and services that a country produces in one year. This includes spending that is done by the citizens of the country and by the government of that country. It includes the value of items produced within the county and exported elsewhere, but it does not include the value of any imported items. The GDP is the primary way to calculate the size and status of the economy of a country as a whole. It is calculated quarterly as well as yearly.
Taken from http://www.visualeconomics.com/gdp-vs-national-debt-by-country/ Reposted from Rugby Green Voice http://rugbygreenparty.blogspot.com/
Sunday 10 October 2010
RUGBY ANTI CUTS CAMPAIGNERS TO JOIN PROTEST IN COVENTRY ON WEDNESDAY 20TH OCT!
Rugby Against The Cuts agreed at our last meeting to encourage people from Rugby to attend the mass demonstration in Coventry to show solidarity across Rugby and Warwickshire from workers and local communities against the CON DEM cuts.
We want to organise the biggest protest we can outside the Coventry City Council House at 5.30pm.
Please pass this on to friends and family, workmates and neighbours. Bring placards, banners and anything else to tell this government that we do not accept these cuts . Make sure you are there. If you in a trade union makes sure this a priority for members.
Friday 8 October 2010
Protest at Downing Street on 20 October
Rugby Against The Cuts are affiliated to the Coalition of Resistance Please support the protest in London or attend the local protest in Coventry.*Don't forget to get involve with our campaign in Rugby, by sending an email to rugbyagainstthecuts@gmail.com today! |
Protest at Downing Street on 20 October US Civil Rights activists Jessie Jackson is the latest speaker to confirm for the protestStop the Con-Dem cuts! Build the Resistance! Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay!Speakers include Tony Benn, Caroline Lucas MP, Jessie Jackson, Jeremy Dear (NUJ) Dot Gibson(National Pensioners Convention) Lee Jasper (BARAC) Zita Holbourne (BARAC) John McDonnell MP Mark Serwotka (PCS) Jeremy Corbyn MP Bob Crow (RMT) Aaron Porter (NUS) Marches are converging at Downing Street on 20 OctoberStudent March to Downing street: Assemble 4pm outside ULU, Malet Street Camden Trades Council March to Downing Street: Assemble 5.00pm at Lincoln’s Inn Fields Marches will join the Coalition of Resistance Rally at Downing Street: Assemble 6pm The momentum for the demonstration on 20 October is growing. Camden Trades Council’s march is now supported by 15 trade union bodies plus the local Labour Party and several anti-cuts and anti-privatisation campaigns (full list below). At the same time, the University of London Students Union is calling on all students to march (assembling 4.00pm outside ULU, Malet Street). The students will march to join the trade union demonstration. The joint march will then head for a rally in Whitehall outside Downing Street. The Coalition of Resistance is calling on all supporters to build the demonstration and rally, and to join the march if possible (4.00pm in Malet Street, or 5.00pm at Lincoln’s Inn Fields) or the final rally (beginning 6.00pm outside Downing Street).  When Osborne announces the cuts on 20 October, we need to challenge head-on the Con-Dem lie that ‘there is no alternative’ and that ‘we are all in it together’.We need to break through the media consensus that working people and the poor have to pay for a crisis caused by the bankers, big business, and the rich. That means making the protest on the 20 October big, loud, and vibrant. We can build protest over the next month by:
Model Resolution
Model Press StatementOn the day Con-Dem Chancellor George Osborne announces the results of a ‘spending review’ designed to cut £83 billion from public services, the Coalition of Resistance is calling a mass protest in Downing Street. The Con-Dem government of millionaires, supported by the media, says ‘there is no alternative’ to massive cutbacks at the expense of working people to pay the debts of a bankrupt system. They tell us ‘we are all in it together’ as they plan cuts in jobs, pay, pensions, benefits, and public services that will hit the poor ten times harder than the rich. If they want cuts, let them cut bank profits and bonuses. If they want to pay off debt, let them tax the rich and big business. If they say we can’t afford the NHS, let them axe Trident and withdraw from Afghanistan. The cuts they plan will plunge us into a slump. Cuts in the public sector destroy jobs in the private sector. Cuts on the scale of the 1930s will produce unemployment on the scale of the 1930s. What we need is massive investment to create jobs, regenerate the economy, and provide the goods and services people need. In particular, we need massive investment in renewable energy and public transport to begin the transition to a green economy. If the bankers object, we should take over the banks and put them under democratic control. We [members of, residents of etc] will be joining the march called by Camden Trades Council (assembling 5.00pm at Lincoln’s Inn Fields) and the rally called by the Coalition of Resistance (beginning 6.00pm outside Downing Street). Current list of individuals and organisations supporting the protest:Tony Benn, Caroline Lucas MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, John McDonnell MP, Jeremy Dear (NUJ), Matt Wrack (FBU), Mark Serwotka (PCS), Bob Crow (RMT), Dot Gibson (National Pensioners Convention), Lee Jasper (BARAC), Zita Holbourne (BARAC), Paul Mackney (former General Secretary, NATFHE and UCU), Aaron Porter (NUS), Kanja Sesay (NUS Black Students Officer), Clare Solomon (ULU) Camden Trades Council, Camden UNISON, Camden NUT, East London Teachers Association (NUT), Hammersmith & Fulham NUT, Islington NUT, Lambeth NUT, UCU London Region, CWU Mount Pleasant (International), RMT Euston No.1 and Camden No.3 branches, Brent Trades Council,Hackney Trades Council, Haringey Trades Union Council, Islington Trades Union Council,Greater London Association of Trades Union Councils, Holborn & St Pancras Constituency Labour Party, Coalition of Resistance, Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC), Right to Work Campaign, Keep Our NHS Public, Islington Hands Off Our Public Services, Green Left,Socialist Resistance, Counterfire |
Coalition of Resistance Coalition of Resistance, c/o Housman’s Bookshop, 5 Caledonian Road London, London N1 9DX |
Thursday 7 October 2010
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Campaign: Where does your MP stand on cuts? Tell Pawsey we don't want the cuts
TUC is hosting 'Going to Work' campaign website which enables quick and easy access to messaging all MPs our views on the cuts and why we don't want them. The link is http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-18605-f0.cfm
All Together For Public Services
This the home of the TUC's campaign against the Government's deep, rapid cuts in public spending. Here is where you can find our arguments for an alternative, news of campaign initiatives and resources for activists.
Rally and Lobby of Parliament Tuesday Oct 19
On Wednesday October 20 the Government will reveal the full extent of the cuts to come.Join the TUC for a rally and lobby of parliament the day before. Hear just how damaging the cuts will be. Press the case for an alternative to coalition MPs.
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Trade Union Rights Are Human Rights!
The United Campaign believes the anti-trade union laws introduced by the Conservatives between 1979-1995 must be challenged and replaced with a framework of positive rights.
The United Campaign to Repeal the Anti-Trade Union Laws was founded on the 28th March 1998 at a Conference of 700 trade unionists, from General Secretaries to shop stewards.
It was established to be a united non-sectarian trade union based campaign, set up to challenge the anti-trade union laws.
Currently we have 25 National Unions affiliated to the Campaign and hundreds of trade union branches and regional bodies as well as many individual supporters.
Join them and support the campaign for trade union freedom!
Contact info@unitedcampaign.org.uk or visit web site http://www.unitedcampaign.org.uk/index.html
Monday 4 October 2010
7000 MARCH IN BIRMINGHAM AT TORY CONFERENCE
Among demonstrators were Birmingham City Council workers under the Unison and GMB banners.
Unions represented included the National Union of Teachers, RMT rail workers, Unite, GMB, Unison, Communication Workers Union, Public and Commercial Services Union, Fire Brigade Union and even the actors union Equity. Among campaign groups were the Pensioners Convention and Defend Council Housing. Banners from as far afield as Glasgow, Southend-on-Sea, Plymouth, Bath, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield could be seen.
The excellent Birmingham Councillor Salma Yaqoob says how it is!
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