News and socialist analysis

As coronavirus crisis intensifies, class antagonisms deepen

After the pandemic crisis, things will never be the same again. This will be similar to the situation after the two world wars of the 20th century.

PPE, Tests, Full pay - for all now

The situation will "get worse before it gets better," says Boris Johnson. But let's be clear - the enormity of this will not be the fault of the individual actions of ordinary working people. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if the government had acted earlier; and if we hadn't had to endure ten years of brutal austerity in the NHS, social care and other vital services.

New laws: Unions must be on guard against attacks on workers' interests

Within a few days, Tory ministers managed to get their coronavirus bill through parliament

Labour must resist 'Covid coalition'

In the early stages of a war or national emergency, there is often a mood to pull together in the 'national' interest

Coronavirus news in brief

New tests have found that 'high-pressure laminate' (HPL) cladding is almost as deadly as Grenfell's 'aluminium composite material' (ACM) cladding in a fire

NHS workers speak out: austerity has left us unprepared

We have had many weeks to get ready to deal with coronavirus. It's a shame that only in the last couple of weeks things are actually happening, writes Lucy, a NHS worker.

Capitalism means empty shelves, food insecurity, and soaring profits - the case for a socialist alternative

The global coronavirus pandemic has exposed the fragility of capitalist food supply systems - whose rationale is based on maximising profits rather than meeting human needs

NHS supply chain worker: privatisation has cut equipment quantity and quality

Terrified staff across the NHS are risking their health and lives treating coronavirus patients without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Schools: union oversight needed to end chaos in provision under coronavirus

Like many other teachers up and down the country, I have been trying to set lessons online for students to continue their education at home

We need tests for all now! Nationalise production and research

"Test, test, test" said the World Health Organisation.

Coronavirus plunges capitalism into global turmoil

A CWI statement on the new era of upheaval that has opened up and the need for socialism.

Coronavirus crisis: Tests, full pay and funding - for all now

The coronavirus crisis has exposed the complete inability of the capitalist market economy, based on profit and competition, to meet the needs of working-class people.

Union independence must be maintained - a reply to the TUC

There should be no blurring of class lines

State intervention shows what is possible

The Tories cut - but now they spend. They privatised - but now they nationalise.

Social care: "Not good enough by miles"

Boris Johnson has said that non-urgent operations will be cancelled, and people already in hospital sent home, to free up 30,000 general and acute beds in the NHS to accommodate coronavirus patients. According to Johnson, they will be released into the care of "community health providers".

Coronavirus news in brief

Coronavirus news in brief

Coronavirus and domestic violence: a double threat to women's lives

As we entered 2020 the number of women murdered every week by a partner or ex-partner in the UK rose to three. On top of this, three women a week kill themselves to escape abuse

Too little too late

Johnson and Sunak responded to public anger and agreed to pay 80% of the wages of workers who are laid off because of the coronavirus. This will be welcomed by millions, but for workers already struggling to pay the bills, 80% of wages will not be enough to live on.

The new crisis and its consequences

As global markets reel in the face of the developing coronavirus pandemic it is difficult to see how these events will not be the trigger for a new world capitalist economic downturn, with all its social and political consequences

Coronavirus and school closures: what needs to be done now

The government has had to bow to the inevitable and announce the closure of all schools