Challenging the cuts consensus

[Geezer]

An e-pamphlet on alternatives to the Coalition’s cuts agenda

Including contributions from:

Frances O’Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary

Ken Livingstone

Diane Abbott MP

Caroline Lucas MP

Sally Hunt, UCU General Secretary

Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary

Michael Burke, economist

Prof Victoria Chick and Ann Pettifor

Richard Murphy, Tax Justice Network

Jimmy Kelly, Unite (Ireland)

Dr Kate Hudson, CND General Secretary

Simon Bullock, Friends of the Earth

Richard Ascough, GMB

Simon Weller, Aslef

Produced by the Progressive Economic Alternatives Coalition

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Contents

• An alternative to spending cuts
‐ Frances O’ Grady, Deputy General Secretary, TUC Page 3

• Invest in public services – for a stronger economy and a fairer future
‐ Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON Page 6

• London can’t afford the cuts
‐ Ken Livingstone Page 9

• Cuts will hit women hard
‐ Diane Abbott MP Page 12

• The case for a Green New Deal
‐ Caroline Lucas MP Page 14

• Education cuts will hurt growth now and in the long term
‐ Sally Hunt, General Secretary, University and College Union Page 17

• Privatisation is not the way forward
‐ Billy Hayes, General Secretary, Communications Worker’s Union Page 19

• Increasing investment is the key to solving the crisis
‐ Michael Burke, economist Page 22

• Cuts may increase the deficit: evidence from history
‐ Prof Victoria Chick and Ann Pettifor Page 25

• Collapsing tax revenues lie behind the deficit
‐ Richard Murphy, Tax Research UK Page 28

• Lessons from Ireland
‐ Jimmy Kelly, Irish Regional Secretary, Unite the Union Page 31

• Scrap Trident and invest to create 100,000s new jobs
‐ Dr Kate Hudson, General Secretary, CND Page 33

• Green taxes can tackle the deficit
‐ Simon Bullock, Friends of the Earth Page 36

• Public sector job cuts will hit the private sector
‐ Richard Ascough, Regional Secretary, GMB Southern Region Page 38

• Reducing transport investment will damage the wider economy
‐ Simon Weller, National Organiser, ASLEF Page 40