Local Election Hustings – Wed 14th May

WEDNESDAY MAY 14th 7.30pm

BIRMINGHAM COUNCIL HOUSE

ALL PARTIES AND INDEPENDENTS INVITED TO SPEAK ONGOING ANTI-CUTS STRUGGLES ALSO INVITED

What Way Forward For Birmingham

Birmingham City Council has been tamely implementing government grant cuts which will see 60% of its income disappear by 2016. Already nearly 5000 jobs out of 12000 have gone and services such as community libraries, play centres, leisure services, youth services, and neighbourhood advice have been cut to ribbons. Old Peoples and Children’s Care homes have been closed, and most adult and children’s services are being privatised.

Unlike some other councils Birmingham Council also forces people on Job Seekers Allowance to pay council tax, and refuses to make a promise of no evictions for rent arrears due to the hated bedroom tax.

Already there is talk of further austerity and cuts lasting until 2020. This hustings has been organised by Birmingham Trades Union Council with the support of Birmingham against the Cuts. We are asking the parties and independents standing on May 22nd to explain how they will tackle the funding crisis and why workers in Birmingham should vote for them.

Will they continue the process of dismantling and privatising services, or do they have realistic alternatives which can be pursued?