Cuts could spark poll-tax style riots, says TUC union boss Brendan Barber
Wednesday 08 September 2010
Related articles
Brendan Barber, the TUC general secretary, has predicted poll tax-style protests when the Coalition Government's spending cuts start to bite.
As David Cameron told his Cabinet that it had reached the moment of truth in its search for big cuts, Mr Barber warned that a "volatile cocktail" of job losses, wage freezes, pension cuts and privatisation could lead to "difficult disputes" in the coming months.
Speaking before next week's annual TUC conference in Manchester, Mr Barber said: "The poll tax was defeated when MPs returned to Westminster to report that their constituencies were in revolt. The poll tax offended the British people's basic sense of what's fair. So will the spending cuts.
"Every coalition MP with a small majority and every coalition MP who fought an election to oppose deep early cuts needs to feel the pressure from their constituents to change course."
Accusing the Government of acting through "political choice" rather than necessity, Mr Barber claimed ministers were "hacking away" at public services. "Its programme of cuts, privatisation and redrawing the state is far more radical and dangerous than we have seen since the 1930s. Almost no part of the country, our economy or society will be left untouched," he said.
On his first day back at work after the birth of his daughter, Flo, Mr Cameron told the Cabinet the Government faced "significant challenges" in the weeks ahead – with the spending review at the top of its agenda. "This is the period when the rubber hits the road," he said.
Responding to the TUC's warning, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The spending cuts are not something that the Government would choose to do, but it is something the Government is required to do because of the state of the public finances. We have the largest peace-time deficit. It is our objective to do that in a way that would take people with us."
The difficulty of finding cuts of 25 per cent in most departmental budgets will be highlighted next week when Frank Field, the Government's poverty tsar, warns Mr Cameron not to reduce spending on the under-fives.
In a report to the Prime Minister before the spending review, the Labour MP will propose the creation of an official index of life opportunities for all five-year-olds. He will warn that it would be absurd to ignore evidence that prospects for many children are already shaped before they start school.
Yesterday, the former Minister for Welfare Reform said that Labour's Sure Start scheme and other services for under-fives must be protected from cuts. He told a conference that he would not "sit idly by" while budgets for under-fives were threatened.
Mr Field said he will recommend "a range of intelligent interventions" that will improve the prospects of poor children before the age of five. He cited research showing that, by the time children start school, those from low-income families are already more likely to be at the bottom range of abilities. He said the most "gob-smacking findings" had been that many bright children from poor homes who are ahead of their wealthier classmates aged five have fallen behind by the time they are 10.
Asked how his review fitted with the threat of budget cuts to the Sure Start programme and services for under fives, Mr Field responded: "Given all that I have said it would be irrational of me to then submit a report and sit idly by if budgets for under-fives were actively under threat."
-
Jeremy Paxman reveals he has heard senior Tories calling activists 'swivel-eyed loons'
-
Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
-
Strewth mate. Aussies wave goodbye to Britain as it becomes too pricey to stay
-
X marks the spot: The find that could rewrite Australian history
-
'There are empty spaces where there used to be living rooms, bedrooms, classrooms': President Barack Obama says America is praying for Oklahoma in wake of tornado that claimed 91 lives
- 1 'He was lucky he didn't die' - George Michael fell out of speeding car onto M1 motorway, according to eye witness
- 2 Austerity has hardened the nation's heart
- 3 Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
- 4 Why Arsène Wenger must spend to put icing on the cake and buy likes of Stevan Jovetic for Arsenal
- 5 'It was just like the movie Twister': Man survives Oklahoma tornado by taking refuge in horse stall
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
iJobs General
Randstad Education Core Subjects Supply Teachers
£22500 - £50000 per annum: Randstad Education Plymouth: This Devon School has ...
Lecturer in Conservation Studies
£37,382-£44,607: UCL Qatar: The appointment is full-time on UCL Grade 8. The s...
Randstad Education Humanities Supply Teachers
£22500 - £50000 per annum: Randstad Education Plymouth: Are you a Geography, H...
Randstad Education English Teacher
£22500 - £50000 per annum: Randstad Education Plymouth: We are working with a ...
Day In a Page
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'







Comments