The Socialist 6 October 2021

Make the bosses pay, not the workers

Bakers' union disaffiliates from Labour

Sarah Everard trial reveals police abuse of power

Tories plunge millions further into poverty with Universal Credit cut

Capitalist climate hypocrisy

Railway bosses cook the books in another capitalist market failure

Glasgow's equal pay battle set to re-erupt

Pay NHS and care staff to address worker shortages

NEU: National executive agrees campaign on pay

Coordinated FE strike against measly pay offer

Unison LG members reject insulting pay offer

Unite health members say no to 3% and vote for action

Tesco warehouse rep fighting for reinstatement

Scunthorpe steel scaffolders strike for pay rise

Brighton waste workers walk out

Capitalism's economic instability in the 'new normal'

Fighting for our future

Youth Fight for Jobs - why we're marching on 9 October

Ten years since our 330-mile Jarrow March for Jobs

Barking NHS: "Sorry, please try again later"

We have the right to breathe fresh air

Nottingham: Punish Labour for cruel cuts

London protest for Texas abortion rights

North West socialists join march against Tory conference

Fighting Fund target smashed - £31,703 raised

Obituary - Dave Hardaker, 1952-2021

Caffeine and capitalism - a symbiotic relationship

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Barking NHS: "Sorry, please try again later"

On 29 September, East London Socialist Party member Pete Mason proposed a motion, based on the following, to Barking Reach Residents Association, which he chairs. It was passed unanimously.

(Click to enlarge)

Our NHS is no longer free when there are no GPs available to deal with urgent health concerns. Barking Reach residents are told urgent appointments are only available at 8am. But when calling then, the automated phone system usually says: "Sorry, your call cannot be completed at present, please try again later". Local residents feel there is no access to a doctor.

If they get through, they are told they are number 14 or 15 in the queue, which means that there will be no appointments by the time their call is taken. No one knows how many residents call and fail to get an appointment.

The result is late presentation of illness at the health centre, some of which have become life-threatening. It's a vicious cycle of untreated minor illnesses turning into major health emergencies, devouring more health service resources, at a much greater cost.

Cost-cutting in health makes no economic sense. The Barking Riverside estate will soon comprise 10,800 homes, but has yet to have its own health centre.

Extra funding must be made available for our local health services, in particular, the Aurora Medcare GP practice in Barking. The Thames View Health Centre serves a vastly expanded population.

Despite all their efforts, Aurora Medcare staff cannot overcome a desperately underfunded NHS. NHS staff everywhere are underpaid, and by 80% have just rejected the government's 3% pay offer.

From March 2020 to June 2021, the government awarded £37.9 billion worth of coronavirus-related contracts to private companies. The National Audit Office showed that companies with political connections were ten times more likely to be awarded a contract.

Privatisation is draining resources. We demand the end of privatisation, more resources for GP services, and for a 15% pay rise for heroic health workers.

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Bakers' union disaffiliates from Labour