Fighting Further Cuts and Austerity

MCAC  Meeting 

7pm Tues 2nd October at the NUJ Office
Arthur House, Chorlton St. Manchester M1 3FH
(call 07765 122 829 for help accessing the building)

Agenda
1. Bedroom Tax – What it is and how to fight it?
2. North West Anti Cuts Conference – Sat 10th November

1. Bedroom Tax – What it is and how to fight it?
The Tories have changed rules on housing benefit.

New regulations mean that people who have lived for years in a rented house or flat are now being told they are ‘under occupiers’ : If for example they are single and living in a two bedroom flat, or if they no longer have a the family but are living in the house.

People are to be forced to pay additional rent for ‘un occupied bedrooms,’ – or move out to a smaller flat. People will get behind with higher rents and could face eviction.

There are other changes that mean everyone will from next year have to pay 20% of Council Tax.

“These changes mean it will be like the old Poll Tax where everyone was expected to pay the same for council services,’ explained advice worker and campaigner Steph Pike.

2. North West Anti Cuts Conference – Sat 10th November

Liverpool Against the Cuts and Manchester Coalition Against Cuts are jointly hosting a North West  Anti Cuts Conference, to be held in the Unite Union Offices in Liverpool on Saturday 10th November.

Unions and Communities Fighting Back Together : Defending the NHS : Fighting Youth Unemployment and Workfare : Anti Academies : Hands off the Welfare State : Can Councillors Defy the Cuts : These are just some of the workshops.

The Conference will also be calling action. 

The Tories planning even more cuts of £10 Billion or more to welfare benefits and services. George Osborne will make his autumn budget statement on Weds 5th December.

The Conference will be calling for co-ordinated marches and protest against further austerity in towns and cities across the North West.

Ian from Liverpool Against the Cuts will update us on the NW Anti Cuts Conference.

3. AOB