Our public services are being slashed by the ConDem government. But people are resisting their agenda. Half a million people took to the streets on 26th March in defence of public services.
A fightback has begun that has already seen protests of health workers, and nursing and medical students, plus a nationwide day of action to defend the NHS just last week. The government has now decided to ‘pause’ its health ‘reforms’, showing how weak the ConDems really are.
In Ealing, almost 1500 NHS jobs are set to be axed, and part of Ealing Hospital’s A&E is being handed to a private company. Recently, Ealing Council cut it’s mental health day care service, reasoning that treatment was available through the NHS but now it faces massive cuts too.
Occupational Therapists and libraries are the latest on the chopping block. Ealing Council plans to close five libraries, cut book budgets and opening hours in those that remain, and turn others over to be run by volunteers. The libraries selected for closure – Hanwell, Perivale and Northfields and the Mobile Library - are used by some of the most vulnerable people, who cannot easily travel, and rely on the library as a social, educational and entertainment life line.
It’s time to stand up and say we aren't going to pay for financial problems we didn’t cause. The money is there to pay for public services if the government wanted to find it – the £123bn of tax dodging by the rich would be a good place to start. Join our protest – together we have the power to save our services!
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