Welfare State Demo

NPC leads 10,000 in protest to protect the welfare state and public services

Up to 10,000 pensioners, students, carers, health professionals, the unemployed and trade unionists took to the street on Saturday 10 April to warn the main political parties that they should think again before making cuts to the welfare state and public services.

In bright sunshine, marchers led by the RMT brass band, filled the Embankment and marched up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.

At the rally, NPC general secretary Dot Gibson said: "Our campaign to protect the welfare state and public services has brought together old and young alike because we recognise that whatever our age, we all need the support of a decent welfare system. Free education, care when we are sick and pensions when we retire are all valued parts of a civilised and compassionate society."

"Today they tell us there isn't the money to improve pensions, care and public services - but there wasn't any money in 1945 and we still created a welfare state. If we could do it then, we can do it now."

"All the main political parties have said there will be major cuts to our public services and welfare state after the election. This must not happen. The economic crisis has been brought about by the mistakes of bankers, speculators and an unregulated free market. Pensioners, students, school children, disabled people, the unemployed and ordinary workers must not be made to pay for those mistakes. That's why today we are standing together to protect our welfare state and we'll go on campaigning for as long as it takes."

Welcome

Since 1948, Britain has supported the idea that state pensions, health care, education and other public services are best provided by society as whole. But this idea is now under threat.

The state pension is totally inadequate, leaving at least 1 in 4 older people to live in poverty
7m households have a child living in poverty and existing benefits provide a very limited safety net
Unemployment now stands at over 2m and workfare offers no solution
10m adults are disabled and face huge barriers to escaping financial hardship
The NHS is slowly being privatised behind a smokescreen of choice and competition, and patients are suffering as a result
Our public services are now facing massive cuts and further privatisation

The welfare state and public services are an essential part of any civilised society - pooling the risk across the population and providing support and services to us all.

Why should you get involved?

Whoever wins the next general election will be looking at the welfare state and public services as a way of cutting public expenditure. This demonstration must therefore send a clear message to all the political parties that the majority of people do not want to see further cuts and privatisation.

On 10 April 2010 we will have a unique chance – just weeks before an expected general election – to make our voices heard. Staying at home and thinking it’s someone else’s job to speak out for the welfare state and public services won’t be enough. Make sure you are there!

The requirements of a decent society

Since 1948, Britain has supported the principle of social solidarity through state pensions, healthcare, education and other public services provided by society as whole. This idea is now under threat.

Whoever wins the next general election will be targeting the welfare state and public services as a way of cutting public expenditure to pay for the mistakes of the bankers and speculators. Never was so much put at risk by so few.

What they seem to forget is that good public services are important to everyone at every stage of their life from the cradle to grave. That is why we are supporting the demonstration in London on 10 April to remind all politicians that a civilised, compassionate society needs a welfare state and decent public services that pool life's risks and provide support to all who need it, irrespective of their individual ability to pay.

Brendan Barber TUC, Lee Billingham Love Music Hate Racism, Christine Blower NUT, Brian Caton POA, Bob Crow RMT, Jeremy Dear NUJ, Gerry Doherty TSSA, Peter Fisher NHS Consultants' Association, Dot Gibson National Pensioners Convention, Sally Hunt UCU, Tony Kearns CWU, Chris Keates NASUWT, Paul Kenny GMB, Prof Harry Keen NHS Support Federation, Jonathan Ledger Napo, Hamish Meldrum BMA, Lesley Mercer Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, Gerry Morrissey Bectu, Keith Norman Aslef, Peter Pendle ACM/AMiE, Dave Prentis Unison, Alan Ritchie Ucatt, Wendy Savage Keep Our NHS Public, Mark Serwotka PCS, Eileen Short Defend Council Housing, Derek Simpson Unite, Vanessa Stanislas Disability Alliance, Christine Steel Carers Poverty Alliance, Gordon Taylor PFA, Tony Woodley Unite, Matt Wrack FBU

Who is supporting the campaign?

To date the following organisations have given their support to the event: