Unite's ten priorities to protect millions of families and kick
start the economy
17 November 2008
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 2 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 1 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 governments’ 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:
- Freezing repossessions on homes and creating 1 million new
affordable homes
- The introduction of a fair tax regime to address the poverty
gap, including closing tax loopholes and cuts for lower
earners.
- Increasing public spending levels to create demand
- Supporting manufacturing through procurement and
investment
- A price commission for energy and a windfall tax on
profits
- Maintaining a commitment to full employment
- Restoring and defending collective rights for workers
- Advancing investment in public infrastructure
- Reducing interest rates to stimulate investment
- 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.
