Campaign news

Fight to defend Welfare goes on

15th June 2011

The Welfare Reform Bill passed its 3rd reading in the House of Commons on 15 June by 288 votes to 238. Although it passed, our campaigning helped ensure that Labour MPs voted against it, having abstained at 2nd reading stage. However, recent comments by Ed Miliband and Liam Byrne prove we have to fight to continue to move party policy away from the workfare model promoted by New Labour and now being developed by the coalition.

Both John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn spoke in the Bill’s final debate on 15 June and argued against the cuts to the Social Fund and the welfare benefits cap. Writing in the Guardian, Tom Clark said “It is a moment to be grateful for what remains of Labour’s hard left: an amendment to scrap the cap was at least tabled by John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn”. Also read John McDonnell MP’s letter to the Guardian on the benefit cap.

Our Welfare Reform Bill briefing sets out why we opposed the Bill and has been sent to every Labour MP. It remains a useful resource for members debating welfare issues. The Bill is an attempt to scapegoat those on welfare, part of the coalition’s plans to slash £18 billion from welfare payments. The plans will also further privatise welfare delivery and result in a less generous and more punitive welfare system at a time when people need it more than ever.

Please make sure your CLP passes the model motion on welfare to start to turn around the party’s policy on welfare - and to stop the scapegoating of those on benefits.

PCS has also recently launched a new pamphlet, ‘Welfare: an alternative vision’. The 24-page booklet was unveiled at a public meeting in Brighton – during PCS’s conference in the city. The aim is to arm activists with the information needed to campaign against attacks on benefits – and to put forward ideas for the future of the welfare state. Speaking at the launch, LRC Chair John McDonnell MP, said:

“This small booklet challenges the big lies that form the basis of this government’s welfare reform policies. Every time a politician or political commentator tries to spew out the same old myths about scroungers and benefits fraud or the abuse of the system, just swat them intellectually with the facts and arguments set out in this excellent booklet.”

Defend jobs. Even though unemployment remains high, in May the government announced a further 2,400 job cuts in the Department for Work and Pensions. Lobby your MP against these cuts.