More than 1 in 5 people in the UK are living in poverty. And Resolution Foundation analysis predicts a further 1.3 million people to be plunged into absolute poverty by 2023.
The British Retail Consortium released data showing UK food price inflation has hit a new high of 12.4%, meaning people are resorting to food banks. With 90% of food banks that are part of the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), reporting helping people who have not previously accessed support and also more people needing regular food supplies. 60% also reported that if demand continues to increase, they will need to reduce the size of their food parcels or will not be able to provide support.
It is these select few devastating statistics, of which there are countless more, which display the beyond dire state of living in the UK, demonstrating that this government is only working for the rich, and not the working classes.
In my belief, 12, bordering on 13, years of austerity at the helm of consecutive Conservative Governments now joined in conjunction with the impacts of Brexit, has indisputably destroyed public services. NHS waiting lists of millions, the significant lack of social housing, and many other issues are just common news stories now. Public sector services have had their funding slashed year upon year, wages in real terms have experienced the same, and working conditions are alarming. And now too, this is happening to those in the private sector.
But there, thankfully, is hope in the power of the unions. This unification of a profession is undoubtedly vital for change. Since ultimately the waking up of government to the realities and the change necessary requires the strength of a union. And as a last resort, industrial action is unquestionably the justified and reasonable next step to achieve change.
The transport workers of the RMT. The train drivers of ASLEF. The barristers of the Criminal Bar. The nurses of the Royal College of Nursing. The National Highways workers and the civil servants of the PCS. The paramedics of the GMB. The Royal Mail workers, the Post Office workers, and the BT and Openreach workers of the CWU. The staff at 150 universities under the UCU. The teachers of many unions. And the others I’m sure to have missed.
These professions have all either been on strike, are currently striking, have strikes planned, or are in the process of balloting members. Evidencing not only the appalling situations of so many professions, but also the unfortunate necessity of escalation to industrial action to achieve necessary change.
And they will forever have my solidarity.
Teen Politics 
Leave a comment