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Nuneaton NewsOvernight Cuts to Council Services(June 18, 2010)Overnight Cuts to Council Services: The Shape of Things to Come in the Con/Dem Nation?
We’ve repeatedly heard the government say that although the forthcoming cuts will be ‘savage’, the most vulnerable in society will be protected. Yet only weeks after the election it is becoming clear who their first victims will be. In Nuneaton they’ve targeted people already under stress and on the edge of society, snatching away one of their few chances of empowerment. The PASTELS day centre in Nuneaton provided support for people who experience social exclusion, long term unemployment, broken family life, anxiety, depression or other similar conditions. As well as counselling adults, the staff and volunteers provided advice, comfort and stress management services for vulnerable school children. But in a cloak and dagger style "back door cut" this service was withdrawn by Nuneaton & Bedworth Council with little more than 24 hours notice. Towards the end of May, my colleague accompanied a young man from the school she works at to his third counselling session of a six-part programme. Immediately after his session, my colleague was informed that as of the following day the service would cease to exist. This underhand cut to a discreet yet vital public service has left many already vulnerable people even more isolated and distressed, particularly since some were part-way through a potentially life-changing course.
The Socialist Party branch in Nuneaton has already launched a campaign against cuts at our local hospital, but events like this point to the need for a broader campaign against all cuts to public services, a campaign which needs to involve trade unionists and community groups. We call on all concerned citizens to join us on Wednesday 30th June for the Nuneaton People’s Protest Day.
3.00pm at the Raveloes Conference Room, George Eliot Hospital. Join us in lobbying the Hospital Trust at its public board meeting – let’s demand they be honest with people about what they’re planning, and let’s tell them it’s unacceptable!
5.30pm at the Town Hall: Join us in lobbying our councillors at the Town Hall – let’s demand they support our campaign and fight to defend public services, not carry out the government’s cuts!
by Tom Sidwell |