Of you ask people what Ihaving a Welfare State in this country has meant, albelt a pared down, underfunded one, there will be a huge variety of answers.
Some will say it has en- an abled them to get free healthcare, but that this is a possibility they see vanishing as more NH WArge are coseo Others will tell you that it is their pension that has enabled them to survive, but that they re scared about how they can continue to do so on less and less money. People readily acknowledge how crucial the Welfare State is to TheM throughout their lives, and that they do not against one another, want to see it die.
though it is worthwhile tryDespite this, the Tories Nino te messure eucarion are lying almost on standards in institutions daily basis to wrench under such constant fimore and more of it away, nancial oressure. as they try to claw back Once you leave school money to offer their voters For college. vol chances in tax cuts at the next of getting a job and holdelection. ing on to it remain very What are the effects of slim. Young workers have theco nrilta attacke tor been forced to rely upon young people? As class unemployment benefit. sizes soar in schools and Now the Tories have colleges, yet more cuts spliced the twelve month are made forcing staffing entitlement to this money and resources down to an down to six months. If you even more ludicrously low are careless enough to be level. made redundant between At the same time, the the ages of 18 and 24, Tories bring in league ta- they think you should only bles to set schools be entitled to a means- tested benefit - lower than the previous meagre full unemployment allowance.
All this occurs alongside the insistence that you must be actively seeking work to receive anything at all, so young people are forced into taking low paid jobs; tney are used pawns in the Tories' game to clear up their disgraceful unemployment record.
Just as we all have relied on features of the Welfare State, so the campaign to defend it from these attacks, ant the many others that will be dreamt up as we near an election, depends on us all too. Ine livelest and broadest display of anger and campaigning is required.
There's loads of activity springing up around the country at the moment, so now's the time to get involved.
Tell everyone you know that this campaign does not belone to policlans who will tinker around with The areuments and change very little.
It doesn't even solely belong to those of us who are already politically active. Like the Welfare State itself, this campaign belongs to us all! Wolfaro Stato Notwork must highlight noads of young peopla Get active! "'FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE''. A Conference to defend the Welfare State. Saturday April 8th, 11am -5pm. ULU, Malet Street, London. By Euston BR and Googe Street tube.