Unite’s ten priorities to protect millions of families and kick start the economy
Ahead of the Pre-budget report, Unite the Union will present Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling with ten key priorities – including a freeze on home repossessions as part of government action to invest its way out of the credit crunch and kick-start the faltering economy.
The submission, entitled “A new deal for the real economy” from the two million member-strong union seeks to protect working people from the triple danger of redundancy, repossession and rising prices.
The union’s priorities include a freeze on repossessions on homes and the creation of one million new affordable homes, the introduction of a fair tax regime, an increase in public spending and support for manufacturing through procurement and investment. The submission also calls for a new order of regulation in the finance sector.
Unite joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, said:
“We are calling on Gordon Brown to save our homes and do everything possible to protect our jobs. As times get tougher, Labour must continue to command the economy and support those people most likely to suffer thanks to the greed and irresponsibility of the bankers.
“Gordon Brown has already taken decisive action to bail-out the banks. He has re-established himself as the best man to steer the UK through these troubled times, but Labour now needs to go beyond the banks to support the real economy.
“Our priorities seek to put an end to the unchecked free market greed that led to the current crisis and to introduce a new economic order which takes our economy out of the hands of the super rich and puts it back under democratic control.”
Unite joint general secretary, Tony Woodley, said:
“Millions of families are facing a winter of economic fear, haunted by the triple danger of redundancy, repossession and rising prices. This is the government’s chance to maintain the momentum of the last month by using its control of the banking system, driven to bankruptcy by the city fat cats, to put the people’s priorities first.
“This includes aid to the manufacturing industry, as is being arranged in the USA, a halt to repossessions and a major programme of house-building, control on energy prices and immediate infrastructure investment to get industry moving. Government action based on the economics of hope will also change the political landscape.”
Unite’s 10 key priorities:
1. Freezing repossessions on homes and creating one million new affordable homes.
2. The introduction of a fair tax regime to address the poverty gap, including closing tax loopholes and cuts for lower earners.
3 Increasing public spending levels to create demand.
4. Supporting manufacturing through procurement and investment.
5. A Price Commission for energy and a windfall tax on oil and energy companies’ profits.
6. Maintaining a commitment to full employment.
7. Restoring and defending collective rights for workers.
8. Advancing investment in public infrastructure.
9. Reducing interest rates to stimulate investment.
10. Introducing a new order and regulation into the finance sector.
ENDS
For further information please contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315. A copy of “A new deal for the real economy” is available on request.
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