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From The Socialist newspaper, 2 February 2022
Portsmouth: Council workers leaving and tenants' double whammy
Anti-cuts protest in Portsmouth, photo Nick Doyle (Click to enlarge)
Nick Doyle, Portsmouth Socialist Party
Council workers are leaving. They can't live off the wages paid by the council.
The council has committed to paying the living wage. But Portsmouth council workers should be paid a minimum of £15 an hour. And the council should fight for the funds to do so, not threaten cuts.
There is likely to be a 6% council tax rise. Social housing tenants face a double whammy of this and rent increases. The council made at least £100 million cuts in the last decade, and is cutting more this year.
Projects to beef up the council's 'green' credentials have had little or even negative impact. They include solar panels that aren't even connected.
The council's plans for a Clean Air Zone would mean further taxation, hitting the poorest the most, who often can't afford the new 'cleaner' cars. If Portsmouth Council was serious about environmental measures, it could properly insulate every council building, and bring local public transport under public control, so that services could be based on need rather than profit.
What is needed is a People's Budget - no more cuts, council tax rises or rent increases. This would only be sustainable if the council was prepared to build a campaign in Portsmouth's workplaces, unions and communities to demand back the £100 million, and what is needed in real terms for the people of Portsmouth.
When Militant supporters, now the Socialist Party, were elected to run Liverpool in the 1980s, the council was facing bankruptcy. That Labour council went on to create thousands of jobs, build thousands of decent homes, winning back £60 million from Thatcher's Tory government.
A mass workers' party that was prepared to build such a campaign today could improve living standards, and bring down this rotten Tory government. The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) banner is available for anti-cuts candidates. If you agree, please consider standing and join the Socialist Party.
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In The Socialist 2 February 2022:
News
Tories attack UC recipients with 'get any job' threat
NHS mandatory vaccination to be ditched
NI rise piled onto shoulders of the lowest paid
Gas and electric bills set to soar by 50% this year
Covering basic costs is hard, and it's getting worse
International news
Ukraine: Workers' unity needed
Northern Ireland: Bloody Sunday 50 years on
School students strike in Austria
France: Education workers and students walkout
TUSC
Dave Nellist standing for Birmingham Erdington
Why a socialist candidate for Birmingham Erdington is vital
Hackney Unison to encourage anti-cuts candidates
Portsmouth: Council workers leaving and tenants' double whammy
Workers fighting back
The winter strike wave escalates as workers fight back and win
NHS workers begin strike for 15% and against outsourcing
Victory at NewVIc college! 'The picket line gives us power'
Coventry bins: all-out against strike-breaking Labour council
Scunny scaffs strike restarts with a bang, barricades and a win!
Campaigns news
Tories sinking, workers rising - help fund the socialist fightback
May Day Greetings: Back the paper that backs the working class
Why I joined: I'm tired of austerity and status quo
Socialist Students getting organised for 2 March walkout
Review
Belfast: Worth watching portrayal of previously airbrushed workers' unity
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2021