UK

Fresh calls for windfall tax on banks as HSBC reports pre-tax profits of £16.8bn

Hannah Davenport 

31 July, 2024
Left Foot Forward News

'Banks continue to prosper from the same higher interest rates which have forced thousands into mortgage arrears'

Calls to introduce a windfall tax on banks have grown amid the latest profit reports by the UK’s big banks, which have increased since the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

The not-for-profit organisation, Positive Money, that advocated for banking reforms, has called once again for the government to place a windfall tax on bank profits, with banks recording profits that far exceed the pre-pandemic period.

HSBC reported pre-tax profits of £16.85bn for the first half of 2024 and has given a further $4.8bn to shareholders.

“HSBC’s latest profits are proof that not everyone is worse off from the cost of living crisis, with the bank having made far more than they did in the low interest rate period before the pandemic,” said Ellie McLaughlin, senior policy and advocacy officer at Positive Money.

McLaughlin said: “If the new government wishes to dispel swelling rumours that it’s allowing City lobbyists to trade cash for access to policymakers, it should place a windfall tax on these unmerited bank profits, showing that it intends to work in the public’s best interests, not bankers’.”

Contributing LFF editor Prem Sikka said: “HSBC hands another $4.8bn to shareholders in dividends and share buybacks. $34.4bn in the last 18 months.

“Profits rise without extra effort. To manage inflation govts force people to hand wealth to banks and their shareholders. Why no windfall tax?”

MPs including Richard Burgon, Diane Abbott, John McDonnell, Clive Lewis and Angela Eagle have previously called for a windfall tax on banks, with pressure ramping up last year when the UK’s Big Four banks, Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays and Natwest, together recorded pretax profits of £44.2bn for 2023, up 41% from 2022 as they benefited from global interest rate hikes.

HSBC reported a 80% jump in its pre-tax profit at the start of this year, which rose to $30.3bn (£24bn) in 2023.

Hannah Davenport is news reporter at Left Foot Forward

UK

GPs vote overwhelmingly to take collective action over funding

Hannah Davenport 

1 August, 2024 

Left Foot Forward


GPs to take action for first time in 60 years over a budget row

GPs have voted overwhelmingly to take collective action for the first time in 60 years over a dispute around funding.

More than 8,500 GPs and GP contractors took part in a ballot held by the British Medical Association (BMA) with 98.3% voting in favour of taking industrial action.

From today, practices will be encouraged to choose from a list of actions, which stop short of strikes but can include limits on the number of patients medics can see each day. Currently, some GPs do 40 consultations or more a day, which could be limited under the action to 25 – said to be the maximum safe level.

It follows funding crisis fears in general practice and dissatisfaction with the previous government’s increase in GP budget by just 1.9% this year. The doctors’ union recognised that the new Government was “keen to find solutions” but stressed that “the causes of practices closing and GPs leaving remain”.

Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of BMA’s GP committee for England (GPCE), said: “This is an act of desperation. For too long, we’ve been unable to provide the care we want to.

“We are witnessing general practice being broken. The era of the family doctor has been wiped out by recent consecutive Governments and our patients are suffering as a result.”

Dr Bramall-Stainer added: “We understand that the new Government has inherited a broken NHS, and we’ve had some positive conversations with the new Health Secretary about the situation in general practice.

“The DDRB award is a small a step in the right direction but we still have hundreds of millions less resource to run our practices compared to even five years ago.”

General practices were recommended 6% of guaranteed funding by the DDRB in an announcement this week. The BMA’s GPC England Committee believes this needs to gradually increase by 1% year on year, to 15%.

Speaking today on the BBC Radio 4 Today Show, Dr Clare Gerada, former Chair of the Royal College of GPs and a working GP shared her experience in the profession. She said “we do more as GPs in this country than any other GP ever” and that the latest government pay offer is “not enough”.

“I’m doing more today than I’ve ever done in my life, we do more as GPs in this country than any other GP ever in the world,” said Dr Gerada.

Dr Gerada welcomed the government pay offer but said, “I’m afraid we need a complete reset of what is going on within the NHS.”

“Wes Streeting has said that the NHS is broken, and the only way to fix the NHS is to fix general practice.”

According to the union, the impact of the collective action will be a “slow burn” that “may not be felt for some time”, in order to give the Government time to consider the proposed solutions, “including fixing our contract once and for all.”

Hannah Davenport is news reporter at Left Foot Forward

Shocking chart reveals how bad public sector pay got under the Tories

Basit Mahmood 

31 July, 2024

Left Foot Forward

While Labour has acted swiftly to help public sector workers who have suffered a fall in real wages, the Tories failed when in office

A chart produced in the Financial Times has revealed just how bad public sector pay got under the Tories, with doctors among the worst affected when it comes to real terms pay cuts.

In recent days, the Labour government has announced that it has decided to accept the recommendation of the independent pay review bodies to hand public sector workers a pay increase of 5 to 6 per cent. It has also offered junior doctors a salary rise of 22% over two years to end the strikes.

The BMA’s junior doctors’ committee has agreed to put the offer to its members. If accepted it would spell an end to long-running strike action which has led to the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of appointments since March 2023.

While Labour has acted swiftly to help public sector workers who have suffered a fall in real wages, the Tories failed when in office.

The scale of that failure has been revealed in the chart below, showing how while public sector workers have suffered a -2.5% fall in real earnings between 2010 to 2013, Doctors have suffered a pay cut of 14.7% in real terms over the same period.

Teachers meanwhile were on -9%.

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward

UK
Fabian Society column: Labour must take co-ordinated action on raising living standards

Eloise Sacares

1 August, 2024 
Left Foot Forward

It's time to create a new Commission on Living Standards.
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Eloise Sacares is a researcher for the Fabian Society.

Improving living standards was central to Rachel Reeves’ first speech as Chancellor. It is no wonder. In 2022/23, disposable incomes (after housing costs and inflation) were barely higher than in the mid-2000s, while the lowest-earning British households has a standard of living that is 20 per cent lower than their counterparts in Slovenia. And the cost-of-living crisis has made falling living standards a concern for most of the population. This is why we at the Fabians are developing a living standards action plan for the new government.

A major challenge is that the issue of ‘living standards’ doesn’t sit neatly in a single department. From reducing transport costs to providing employment support; from maximising workplace pensions to increasing benefits – policies to tackle living standards come under several government departments. This means that ensuring co-ordinated action can be tricky, especially when each department will be balancing its own internal priorities and dealing with tight fiscal constraints.

Our forthcoming research will propose the structures needed to implement an action plan, to significantly raise living standards. One idea, set forward in last year’s Fabian pamphlet ‘Plans for Power’, is to create a new Commission on Living Standards.

There are multiple benefits to having such a commission. An independent body could provide politically neutral, evidence-based advice on controversial issues, such as minimum benefit levels, and could help to depoliticise such topics. A commission could also be designed so that the voices of those living in poverty are considered on an ongoing and equal basis. They could also help to ensure the longevity of any targets beyond political cycles. Finally, such a commission should also be empowered to hold the government to account on any targets or actions related to living standards.

There are many examples of commissions and independent bodies that have been successful. The Climate Change Committee has held the government to account on climate change targets over several parliaments, not least because the Act stipulates that government can be taken to court if it fails to meet these. And the Low Pay Commission paved the way for increases to the national minimum wage, despite this initially having significant political opposition from the right. This then led to the greatest year-on-year increases occurring under a Conservative-led government.

Some argue that a commission would only kick vital action into the long grass. They suggest that evidence gathering isn’t necessary – there is already a wealth of knowledge on what to do to improve living standards. Action is often what’s lacking. The last Labour government did brilliant work on living standards without any formal strategy or structures until the very end of their tenure. But what a commission can offer is the accountability to ensure that governments take action, which may be all the more needed in a difficult fiscal environment. If Labour were to create a Commission on Living Standards, they must ensure that it has both the political will and statutory backing to prevent it from becoming redundant, and that it doesn’t end up delaying vital decision-making.

Commissions can also fail if external factors end up limiting their ability to influence government policy. The Social Mobility Commission has lost credibility over time, as political will on such issues declined and their proposals were increasingly ignored by successive Conservative governments. A 2020 report found ministers have only delivered on 23 per cent of the Social Mobility Commission’s proposals since 2013. But Labour has the chance to learn from commissions that have come before. By reflecting on these experiences, they can make sure to replicate the processes that worked well and learn from previous governments’ mistakes.

The task of improving living standards is urgent – both for people and the broader economy. At the next election, the government will be held to account for decisions they must take now. The recent trends in living standards were not inevitable. Poverty fell the last time Labour was in power, with over half a million children and one million pensioners lifted out of poverty. This government must now step up to the challenge, and increase living standards for all. A Living Standards Commission could give them the necessary push to achieve this.

UK

For the first time ever Uber Eats couriers have union representation through the GMB

Basit Mahmood

2 August, 2024

Left Foot Forward

"This deal between GMB and Uber Eats is good news for couriers. We will now be fully engaged on improving their pay and conditions and making work better."

In a historic move, for the first time ever Uber Eats couriers have secured union representation, with members set to be represented by the GMB union.

It means that couriers throughout the UK will be able to seek representation through the union. The GMB said the partnership builds on the “landmark” agreement between the union and Uber, signed in 2021.

Going forward, GMB bosses will sit down with Uber Eats representatives quarterly to discuss issues affecting couriers such as pay and conditions.

Andy Prendergast, told the Mirror: “This deal between GMB and Uber Eats is good news for couriers. We will now be fully engaged on improving their pay and conditions and making work better.”

Matthew Price, Uber Eats UK general manager, said: “Uber Eats is delighted to build our partnership with GMB that first began in 2021.

“We strongly believe that couriers should have flexibility, protections and benefits when they earn with us.

“Today’s partnership agreement will mean that together we can continue to raise the standard of flexible work for couriers across the UK.”

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward

UK

Tories fume as Labour axe draconian anti-strike law

Hannah Davenport 

6 August, 2024 
LEFT FOOT FORWARD

Angela Rayner said repealing the legislation was the first part of the party's plan to "reset industrial relations so they are fit for a modern economy”

The Labour government announced today it will axe the anti-strike law brought in by the previous Conservative administration in a welcome move for workers’ rights.

Britain’s new Government has said it will be repealing the controversial Strikes Act legislation which gave ministers sweeping powers to extend minimum service levels across the economy, and could be used to force striking workers back to work or risk losing their job.

In the announcement today, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said Labour was scrapping the “pointless law” and instead creating a new partnership between business, trade unions and working people through the New Deal.

“Attempting to clamp down on the fundamental freedom of working people has got us nowhere and this was targeted at sectors who dedicate their lives to serving us all,” said Rayner.

“Repealing this legislation is the first part of our plan to reset industrial relations so they are fit for a modern economy.”

Trade unions had described the legislation as “unworkable and undemocratic”, as Paul Nowak, leader of the Trades Union Congress responded, “it speaks volumes that not one employer was daft enough to use the Tories vindictive” law.

Strike action in the NHS alone cost the taxpayer £1.7bn in 2023 as Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted how the legislation had failed to resolve a single dispute, and that Labour will focus instead on “strong but fair negotiations” to tackle issues between workers and employers.

The move has left Tory politicians fuming, with former Tory party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith coming out to attack the return of the hard-won workers’ rights.

Duncan Smith said: “Welcome back to the 1970s. The hardline Left are back. This is the beginning of radical change that will give power to the unions to strike at will.”

Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins was also quoted in the Daily Mail criticising the reversal of the minimum service laws and said that scrapping the laws would threaten “safe staffing levels” in hospitals. However unions representing health workers have long argued that safe staffing levels had already been compromised by the Tory government, due to cuts and dire staff retention levels, not strikes.

Wes Streeting, said: “Scrapping minimum service levels marks another significant step in resetting relationships with staff, as we fix the broken health service.”

(Image credit: Number 10 / Flickr)


Hannah Davenport is news reporter at Left Foot Forward

UK

How the Government can combat right-wing extremists by challenging neoliberalism

Prem Sikka

5 August, 2024
LEFT FOOT FORWARD

The political system has abandoned low/middle income families and makes them an easy target for right-wing extremists offering simplistic solutions

Right-wing extremists continue to use their well-tried playbook to demonise minorities for the UK’s economic and social woes. They wave flags and populist slogans to blame Johnny Foreigner for social problems. With charismatic leaders, they persuaded people to believe that exiting the European Union (EU) would somehow restore a golden age and enable the English to ‘take back control’. In 2016 the UK left the EU, the biggest trading bloc right at its doorstep. This has cost the UK economy around £100bn a year and has sliced 5% off economic growth. The only Brexit benefit that Brexiteers could offer was a return to imperial measurements of pounds and ounces.

The bigoted utterances of right-wing politicians such as Boris Johnson, Suella Braverman and Nigel Farage are amplified by newspapers such as Daily Express, Daily Mail and The Sun and have created space for hate and social divisions. The standard practice is, blame migrants and minorities rather than neoliberal economic policies for social problems. This has emboldened thugs who in broad daylight are attacking, burning and looting libraries, citizens’ advice bureaus, hotels, foodbanks, supermarkets, wine, shoe, phone, vaping, travel and other businesses to create panic and fear. Black and Asian people have been physically attacked. Muslims and mosques have been particularly targeted by racist thugs. This is organised violence and terrorism rather than protests or demonstrations in any traditional sense.

Communities are uniting to counter misinformation and racist propaganda of right-wing extremists. Firm policing is a key requirement but policing alone can’t tackle the underlying issues. The government needs to attend to the economic causes of the unrest. These are neoliberal economic policies which have institutionalised never-ending austerity, deprivations, real wage cuts and loss of public services and polarised society.

The evidence of social exclusion and a polarised society is all around us. The richest 1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. The bottom 50% of the population owns less than 5% of wealth, and the top 10% owns a staggering 57%. Some 37% of total disposable household income in the UK goes to the fifth of individuals with the highest household incomes, while 8% went to the fifth with the lowest.

To boost corporate profits, successive governments have sought to cheapen labour and imposed real wage cuts. Workers share of gross domestic product, in the form of wages and salaries, has declined from 65.1% in 1976 to barely 50% now. The median pre-tax wage of £28,584 is lower in real terms than in 2008. Due to spread of fire and rehire on low pay and zero-hour contracts early 6.2m workers are in insecure jobs. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that a single person needs £29,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living, and a couple with two children need to earn £50,000 between them. The grim statistics are that over 50% of the population lives on income which is below the level needed for minimum standard of living, and governments have not listened to cries for help.

Most Britons are now unlikely to own a home, which has an average price of £375,000. First-time homebuyers are spending 40% of pay on mortgage repayments and renters are spending nearly 40% of their wages on rent, leaving little for other essentials. Governments promise to build new affordable homes but rarely hit the targets. Social housing has severely declined. Household incomes are depleted by unchecked corporate profiteering. Most mobile phone and internet companies hike prices by the rate of inflation + 3.9% each year. Water and energy companies are guaranteed real returns by regulators, regardless of the quality of service. Profit margins of companies have soared by an average of 30% since the pandemic. Electricity and Gas supply companies have increased their profit margin by 363%. Bank profit margins have increased by nearly 50% compared to their pre-pandemic average. Big supermarkets have increased their profit margins by 19% and made an extra £17.4bn in profits.

Work doesn’t pay enough and people increasingly rely upon charity and benefits to make ends meet. Some 38% of the people claiming Universal Credit are in employment. In 2008/09, just 26,000 individuals used foodbanks, but by 2022/23 the numbers soared to nearly 3 million. Social security benefits have not kept pace with inflation and some 12m people, including 4.3m children, 30% of all children, live in poverty. For the period 2013-2019, the government reduced social security benefits in real terms by freezing their value or increasing them by a lower rate than inflation. In 2017, the government introduced the two-child benefit cap, condemning millions of children and their families to poverty. Due to low incomes and profiteering 6m people are trapped in fuel poverty. In 2022-23 around 800,000 patients were admitted to hospital with malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies, a threefold increase in 10 years. Scurvy and rickets, once banished, have returned as the UK hurtles towards a new Victorian era.

Youth clubs offered younger people a chance to build solidarity and communities, but with government cuts to local council funding over 1,200 have been closed since 2010. Hundreds of children’s centres, council-owned and affordable leisure centres, community centres and village halls have closed.

In England, 6.38m patients are waiting for 7.6m hospital appointments. Those who can afford to pay for private healthcare may bypass the queues, others pay with their lives. Some 300,000 people a year are dying whilst waiting for a hospital appointment. Social care is shambles as corporations fleece public budgets. Nearly 29,000 people a year die waiting for social care. People struggle to see a family doctor or dentist and some have taken it upon themselves to extract infected teeth. Due to lack of healthcare 2.8m people are chronically ill and unable to work. Due to lack of investment public buildings such as schools are literally falling down.

None of this has put the brakes on neoliberalism. Governments tax wages at marginal rates of 20%-45% whilst capital gains accruing to the wealthy are taxed at the rates of 10%-28%. Since 2021, income tax thresholds and annual tax free personal allowance have been frozen at £12,570. Millions more people are sucked into paying income tax. In its last two budgets, the Tory government loped £21.4bn off national insurance rates, which benefited the richest the most. It gave zero benefit to 17.8m adults surviving on incomes below £12,570. Social mobility has been reduced as fewer people are going to university. Those going are saddled with lifelong debt. Not so long ago, higher education was funded from the public purse. Now the cost has been dumped onto households who carry a debt of £236bn and paying interest at the rate of up to 8%, way above the rate of inflation. UK Households have a debt of £2.1 trillion and there is no relief in sight.

The Labour Party came to power in July 2024 with 33.7% of the votes, winning 412 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons. It promised ‘change’ but remains committed to neoliberal economics. Almost its first act was to confirm continuation of the two-child benefit cap and withdrawal of the winter fuel payments for retirees. Some 2.1m retirees live in poverty. The UK state pension is less than 50% of the minimum wage, and almost the lowest in industrialised nations. Some 68,000 pensioners a year die in poverty. Last winter resulted in 5,000 excess deaths of retirees as they struggled to make a choice between eating and heating. Labour promised no tax rises for corporations or the rich.

The above provides a brief glimpse of people’s desperation. Hope and social wellbeing has been drained by neoliberal economics and self-imposed fiscal rules. The social strains are the direct result of governments appeasing corporations and wealthy elites. The political system has abandoned low/middle income families and makes them an easy target for right-wing extremists offering simplistic solutions. The government needs to redistribute income and wealth and invest in public services. Such calls always lead to the usual question “How are we going to pay for it?” Well, a country that can bailout banks and energy companies, fund foreign wars in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iraq and hand over billions in subsidies to corporations can also eradicate poverty and injustice, if the political will is there. Since 2010 HMRC failed to collect between £500bn and £1,400bn of taxes. Billions more can be raised by taxing capital gains at the same rate as wages and through wealth and financial transactions taxes.

Immediate steps should include abolition of VAT on domestic fuel and reduction in the standard rate of VAT. A sizable increase in personal allowance will take millions out of the income tax net. Two-child benefit cap must be ended. Real value of benefits must be preserved. Profiteering must be curbed. Councils must be allowed to build social housing, which will be at a lower cost than profiteering developers. There should be worker-elected directors on boards of large companies to ensure that wealth is equitably shared. Wherever possible, customers too should elect company directors and vote on executive pay as that would curb exploitation by water, energy, supermarkets, banks and insurance companies. Rather than guaranteeing corporate profits through privatisation, outsourcing and private finance initiatives, the state should invest directly in key infrastructure and meet community needs. Another world, a better world, is possible.

Prem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward.

 

Huge mobilisations and left voices say “far right hate not welcome here”

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8th August 2024Leave a Commenton Huge mobilisations and left voices say “far right hate not welcome here”

“Right-wing politicians and media outlets scapegoat migrants for the consequences of their favoured austerity policies: crumbling public services, rising NHS waiting lists, struggles with school places.”

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP

By Patrick Foley, Labour Outlook

In what was pegged to be another day of far-right violence, yesterday evening saw the tables turn, with thousands of anti-racists and anti-fascists taking to the streets to stop the resurgent right in their tracks.

Early fears of rioting, looting and attacks were sparked when far-right “hit lists” were circulated online, including areas in London for the first time since the riots began. The hit lists targeted mosques, asylum centres, NGOs and even high streets with migrant-run businesses across the country.

Rather than a continuation of the targeted racist violence that was expected, what we witnessed was an inspiring show of force, unity and solidarity from thousands of peaceful demonstrators amassing in huge numbers across the country. The impact of these mobilisations should not be understated – even the Met Police Chief praised communities for coming together peacefully to stop the riots.

The actions were coordinated by Stand Up TO Racism and other anti-racist organisations, who brought people together around a clear message: far-right hate is not welcome here.

In the London Borough of Walthamstow, crowds of thousands flooded the streets, showing what a real mass movement looks like, putting the claims that the far-right are the “voice of the people” immediately and comfortably to bed.

Lewisham also came together against the intimidation and scapegoating of asylum seekers and migrant communities.

Oxford anti-racists and anti-fascists were out in force, showing solidarity with the targetted local mosque and defending a local refugee hotel on the far-right “hit list”.

Brighton and Hove saw over 2000 demonstrators take part in their counter-demo and, like other planned far-right protests that evening, the tiny handful of fascists were completely outnumbered.

Hundreds also turned up to the Birmingham demonstration, with political activist Salma Yaqoob stating that “the antidote to racism and division is communities visibly standing together.”

Further to the demonstrations mentioned above, Liverpool, Leicester, Sunderland, Newcastle, Bristol, and many other towns and cities also saw anti-racist and anti-fascist actions take place.

On top of these inspiring mass mobilisations, we saw a range of campaigners, leading trade unionists and left political voices condemning the racism of the far-right – but also pointing to the conditions that led to their rise.

Speaking to Sky News, Clive Lewis MP highlighted the backdrop of austerity which has laid fertile ground for the far-right.

On a Channel 4 News panel, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP challenged the widespread scapegoating and anti-migrant rhetoric that has become normalised by politicians and the press: “These riots show what can happen when they aren’t called out on their lies”.

Zarah Sultana MP was another to target the media’s complicity in the rise of racism and anti-migrant hate.

Apsana Begum MP praised the powerful message sent by last night’s counter-protesters: “We are diverse, multicultural, of all faiths and non, and from around the world. We stand together against your intolerance, division and hatred.”

Kate Osborne MP added her support to the message of the counter-demos stating: “Your racism and Islamophobia are not welcome and we will stand united against you.”

Last night’s mobilisations were not the first taken against the far-right. Last week in Leeds, Richard Burgon MP, spoke at a counter-demo against the far-right in the city center, one of many organised around the country.

As the far-right violence swept across the country earlier in the week, Jeremy Corbyn was a clear voice for unity and for solidarity with those targetted.

“Stand up to racism. Defend refugees. Inspire belief in a better world. That is how you defeat the far right once and for all.”

Newly elected Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed also voiced his alarm at the targeting of Muslims and minority groups – and joined fellow Independent MPs in writing to the Government to call for a meeting to address the surge in racist violence.

Trade unions were also involved in organising the anti-fascist and anti-racist actions and building the demonstrations around the country. Leading trade union voices issued strong statements condemning the far-right and calling for unity and resistance across our movement.

Amongst them were the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), who issued a statement of solidarity in the first days of the rioting: “Solidarity with all those facing islamophobia, violence and intimidation.”

PCS Union General Secretary Fran Heathcote and President Martin Cavanagh issued a joint statement vowing to support communities and to continue to educate and organise against fascism and racism in society.

National Education Union (NEU) General Secretary Daniel Kebede proudly recognised the large numbers of teachers and support staff who took part in the anti-hate marches, proclaiming that “fighting the far-right is a trade union issue.”

While there is much solace to be taken from last night’s powerful show of unity, compassion and solidarity, the issues at the heart of the resurgent far-right remain. The damaging effects of austerity continue to be felt across our communities and the scapegoating of migrants and asylum seekers will need to be continually challenged at every level.

Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage and their supporters are organised, manipulative and well-resourced. The fight is not over yet.

This is exactly why Stand Up To Racism are continuing the “Stop The Far Right” campaign – you can join them for a launch event next Saturday.

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• You can join Stand Up To Racism’s Emergency Campaign Launch on Saturday, 17th August.
• If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.

 

Workers must stand united against fascism and bigotry – Strike Map

Labour Outlook

Amplifying socialist voices, supporting frontline struggles, building international solidarity.

8th August 2024Leave a Commenton Workers must stand united against fascism and bigotry – Strike Map

“Our strength lies in our solidarity. When workers stand together across racial, ethnic, and religious lines, we are a formidable force against hatred and division.”

By Strike Map

The concerning rise in far-right violence on Britain’s streets demands our attention and action. Over the past days, we’ve witnessed disturbing scenes of far right extremist groups targeting minority communities, disrupting peaceful gatherings, and attempting to sow division among working people.

As members of the working class, we must recognise these tactics for what they are – efforts to distract us from the real issues affecting our lives and livelihoods. By scapegoating immigrants and minorities, far-right groups seek to divide us and weaken our collective power.

We cannot allow this to continue. Now is the time for workers of all backgrounds to stand united against fascism and bigotry. Here are some ways we can take action:

1. Participate in counter-protests any way you feel safe and able to when far-right groups demonstrate in your area. Show them that hate has no place in our communities. A list of local actions is being collated here.
2. Support organisations that promote and stand up for the rights of minorities and immigrants, such as Stand Up To Racism (SUTR).
3. Educate yourself and others about the history of fascism and how to recognise modern far-right tactics and the traditional role of the workers movement in combatting them.
4. Engage in grassroots organising around issues that affect all workers – living wages, affordable housing, healthcare, etc. Address the real problems rather than allowing far-right groups to exploit economic anxieties.

Remember, our strength lies in our solidarity. When workers stand together across racial, ethnic, and religious lines, we are a formidable force against hatred and division.

Let’s recommit ourselves to the principles of working class unity and show that fascism has no future in Britain.

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• You can find out more about Strike Map here, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X and YouTube.
• This article is a published version of the Strike Map newsletter sent on 5th August 2024.

Division and blame are the bosses game – Unite tackles far-right violence

8th August 2024Leave a Commenton Division and blame are the bosses game – Unite tackles far-right violence

“It wasn’t the migrant who crashed our financial system in 2008. It was not the migrant who imposed austerity.”

Sharon Graham, Unite the Union General Secretary

By Unite the Union

Commenting on the riots and far right and racist violence Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Without unity the working class cannot make change. Division and blame are the bosses game. It’s time to look up, not down. 

“It wasn’t the migrant who crashed our financial system in 2008. It was not the migrant who imposed austerity. It was not the migrant who revelled in Downing Street while people couldn’t bury their dead. And it wasn’t the migrant who let corporations profit while workers had their pay cut. 

“The economic system has failed and Britain isn’t working: Rampant inequality, crumbling public services, poor jobs and bad pay. We don’t make anything any more and we’ve sold the family silver. When 50 families in this country have more wealth than 30 million of their fellow citizens, something has gone badly wrong.

“We are at a turning point. We need change now. Not waffle about responsible spending or fiscal rules. None of this talks to the worker or their community. It addresses no issues. It just plays into the hands of those that  seek division.

“Labour has one shot. If they fail to deliver, the populist right will emerge ever stronger. The country ever more divided. 

“The trade union movement must now step up to the plate. Not just through demonstrations, but by building long term organisation across our workplaces and communities. Unite will lead the way.”

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• This article was originally published by Unite the Union on 8th August 2024.
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PCS statement on attacks by the far right

6th August 2024Leave a Commenton PCS statement on attacks by the far right

“PCS stands with our Black and Muslim members, their families and communities during these troubling and dangerous times. We are appalled that such horrific attacks are taking place in communities which promote unity, solidarity and hope.”

PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote and National President Martin Cavanagh have issued a joint statement condemning the recent violence and hatred.

Over recent days we have witnessed the most atrociously violent attacks on communities by the far right. These attacks are not protests, they are racially targeted riots aimed at our Black and Muslim brothers and sisters, as well as vulnerable refugees seeking asylum in this country. 

The escalation continues to be fuelled by misinformation and hatred, and it has led to vicious attacks on innocent members of the Muslim, black and migrant communities.

We are not only concerned that these riots are spreading, but that they are targeting entire communities, the livelihoods and safety of thousands, some of whom are our dedicated and hard working members. Visa and immigration offices are now the target of fascist thugs, threatening our members’ safety and that of the community where the offices are located.

We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We are calling on employers, management and government ministers to act urgently to protect their staff, the communities they serve and the individuals who rely on their services.

PCS stands with our Black and Muslim members, their families and communities during these troubling and dangerous times. We are appalled that such horrific attacks are taking place in communities which promote unity, solidarity and hope. PCS is here to support any member affected by these incidents. We urge members to speak to their reps and regional officers who are on hand to offer support. We are proud of the amazing work which is carried out by our Black members’ network, which is united in the calls for unity and peace. We are proud of every PCS member who has helped communities that have been targeted, and who have spoken out against these attacks. 

PCS will continue to stand with our Black and Muslim brothers and sisters, supporting communities and continuing to educate and organise to fight fascism and racism in society. Unity is strength and united, our values of hope and solidarity will never be defeated.

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• You can follow Fran Heathcote on Twitter; and follow the PCS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• This statement was originally published by the PCS Union on 5th August, 2024.

Jeremy Corbyn: Challenge racism, stand with the victims of far-right terror

6th August 2024Leave a Commenton Jeremy Corbyn: Challenge racism, stand with the victims of far-right terror

“The response of the left must be to stand with the victims of far-right terror, challenge the far-right racism and call for the government to address the common issues facing all communities”

By Jeremy Corbyn

Last week, a horrendous murder took place in Southport as three children were brutally hacked to death in a violent knife attack. What followed showed both the best and worst of society.

The best was the outpouring of support for the grieving families of the children. The worst was the far-right forces who attacked the mosque in Southport, a hotel housing refugees in Rotherham, and Muslim-run businesses across the country.

These far-right attacks on the Muslim community echo the tactics of the Nazis against Jewish people, shops and businesses in Germany in the 1930s. In both scenarios, the far right use violence against minorities and blame them for poverty, housing shortages and pressures on health and education services.

The emboldening of the racist right has come from the growing use of anti-migrant language by supposedly mainstream politicians, claiming that desperate people crossing the Channel in flimsy boats are an “invading force.”

The same voices seem unable or unwilling to acknowledge that wars cause refugee flows, and that the migrants who have made their homes in Britain work tirelessly to try and make underfunded services work at all.

At the same time, we are witnessing an economic strategy inherited from the Tories which increases the huge wealth gap in our society, perpetuates austerity and ignores the desperate poverty of so many children.

The response of the left must be to stand with the victims of far-right terror, challenge the far-right racism and call for the government to address the common issues facing all communities: the housing crisis, crumbling education and the collapse of our NHS.

Rather than perpetuating the poverty of so many children by denying benefits to the third child onwards in families, or “saving” money by taking the winter fuel payments away from many older people, the government must address the issues of inequality and greed.

Migrants and refugees are not responsible for unregulated rents, rampant privatisation of our health service or the obscene levels of wealth of the richest in our society.

If the huge social needs of the poorest in our society are not dealt with, the obscene attacks on the Muslim community and refugees will lead to a further wholesale shift to the extreme right.

Pandering to them by anti-migrant rhetoric is not the answer. Instead, we need immediate and public solidarity with the victims. We need to recognise that the failure to deal with the economic needs of people is fertile ground on which the seeds of fascism can grow. We need to offer a message of hope around which all communities can unite.

• This article was originally published in the Morning Star on 5th August 2024.
• Jeremy Corbyn is the MP for Islington North – you can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X and TikTok. 

Public figures, campaigners & left voices back powerful statement against the far-right

8th August 2024Leave a Commenton Public figures, campaigners & left voices back powerful statement against the far-right

“We are the majority, they are the few. Britain has a proud history of defeating fascists and racists. We can defeat them again.”

Labour Outlook is pleased to be one of the initial signatories to the vital public statement initiated by Stand Up To Racism, and to have helped secure support from figures across the movement. We urge all readers to support the Stand Up To Racism statement published below and get involved with local activities.

Fascist riots have taken place in towns and cities across Britain leading to attacks on mosques and hotels housing migrants. Tommy Robinson mobilised over 15,000 in Trafalgar Square on 27 July. The far right are spreading racism, Islamophobia and hatred.

Robinson and others are attempting to exploit the horrific knife attack in Southport to stir up Islamophobia and sow division by spreading misinformation about the attacker’s identity. This led to a racist mob rioting in Southport and elsewhere, violently attacking the mosques and police, chanting the same hateful slogans heard on Robinson’s London demonstration.

Racism and Islamophobia in Parliament is leading to racism and Islamophobia on the streets. When Robinson asked his London protest who voted for Nigel Farage and Reform UK, almost every hand went up. Suella Braverman emboldened this latest iteration of fascist mobilisations, with her claims of an “Islamist” threat, policing “double standards” and refugee “invasion” inflammatory rhetoric.

Across Europe we see the rise of far right and fascist forces, from Marine Le Pen in France to the AfD in Germany.

The far right are a threat to all decent people. The trial of Finsbury Park terrorist Darren Osborne, who murdered Makram Ali, heard that he was radicalised by reading material by Tommy Robinson. When Robinson was leader of the English Defence League, it attacked Muslims, trade unions and strikes.

All those who oppose this must join in a united mass movement powerful enough to drive back the fascists. The majority of people in Britain abhor Robinson and the far right.

We are the majority, they are the few. Britain has a proud history of defeating fascists and racists. We can defeat them again. We must Stand Up to Racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism. We must unite and mobilise against the far right and fascism.

Signed, 

Weyman Bennett and Sabby Dhalu, Stand Up To Racism co-convenors
Paul Holborow, Anti Nazi League founder
Kate Nash, singer songwriter 
Jerry Dammers, The Specials founder 
Paloma Faith, singer and actress
Bimini Bon Boulash, drag artist
Billy Bragg, singer-songwriter and activist 
Skin, singer-songwriter and DJ
Shirley Manson, Garbage
Roots Manuva, rapper
Shon Faye, author
Eliza Rose, DJ and artist 
Maverick Sabre, singer-songwriter and musician
Divina de Campo, actor and singer 
Dr Cheddar Gorgeous, drag performer and artist
Funk Butcher, DJ and producer  
Self Esteem, musician and songwriter
Gideon, artist, DJ and Bloc 9 Glastonbury curator
Gurinder Chadha, filmmaker 
Azeem Rafiq, author and ex-cricketer 
Taj Ali, Co-editor Tribune Magazine
Michael Rosen, author and poet
Amar Chadha-Patel, actor
Dani Harmer, actor
Anoushka Shankar, musician
Ghostpoet, singer-songwriter
Bobbie Vylan, musician 
Eliza Carthy MBE, folksinger
Frank Turner, singer-songwriter and musician
Catrin Stewart, actor
Narinder Kaur, TV personality & social commentator 
Diane Abbott MP
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Ian Byrne MP
Dawn Butler MP
Kim Johnson MP
John McDonnell MP
Apsana Begum MP
Zarah Sultana MP
Jon Trickett MP
Richard Burgon MP
Ian Lavery MP
Clive Lewis MP
Andy McDonald MP
Mary Kelly Foy MP
Anas Sarwar MSP, Leader of Scottish Labour Party
Humza Yousaf MSP
Paul Sweeney MSP
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Shockat Adam MP
Iqbal Mohamed MP
Ayoub Khan MP
Adnan Hussain MP
Pauline Bryan, House of Lords
Prem Sikka, House of Lords
Christine Blower, House of Lords
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary 
Daniel Kebede, NEU General Secretary
Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary 
Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretary
Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary
Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary
Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary
Sarah Woolley, BFAWU General Secretary
Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary
Maryam Eslamdoust, TSSA General Secretary
Steve North, Unison President
Alex Gordon, RMT President 
Jess Barnard, Labour NEC Members’ Representative
Mish Rahman, Labour NEC Members’ Representative
Gemma Bolton, Labour NEC Members’ Representative
Yasmin Dar, Labour NEC Members’ Representative
Aamer Anwar, Human Rights Lawyer
Mohammed Kozbar, Muslim Council of Britain Deputy Secretary General
Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition convenor
David Rosenberg, Jewish Socialist Group
Kate Hudson, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)
Ben Chacko, editor Morning Star
Dr Louise Raw
Taj Ali, Tribune Co-Editor 
Matt Willgress, editor Labour Outlook
Balwinder Rana, Sikhs Against the EDL 
Jamshid Ahmadi, Executive Committee, Liberation (formerly the Movement for Colonial Freedom, est. 1954)
Harsev Bains, Indian Workers Association GB 
Samira Ali and Lewis Nielsen, national organisers Stand Up to Racism
Denis Fernando, Rainbow Coalition Against Racism 
Myriam Kane and Fiona Sim, Black Liberation Alliance

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• You can add your name to the Stop the far right: Unite against racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism statement organised by Stand Up To Racism here.
• You can follow Stand Up To Racism on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.