A Budget for the Rich

Britain is still one of the world's richest societies. We can afford first-class public services, higher wages, decent pensions and welfare benefits.

But most of the wealth is owned by a small minority. The richest one-tenth own £4,000 billion in personal wealth.

The following flyer sets out measures that would make Britain a better, fairer society.

Open publication

Not the Budget Britain Needs

Robert Griffiths, general secretary of the Communist Party, on how the 2012 Budget is just another slap in the face for working people.

Chancellor George Osborne has done it again. He's used yet another Budget to attack workers, the unemployed and benefit claimants and to enrich still further big business and the super-rich.

As before this Con-Dem regime claims that its overriding priority is to close the deficit between what the state and central government spend and what they receive in taxes.

This, we are told, will give private enterprise and the "markets" the security and incentive to invest in economic growth.

Yet the government's policies of slash, burn and privatise have so far halted economic recovery dead in its tracks.

News and Views - March

VISIT CP WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | CPTV | SOLIDARITY NETWORK | CHARTER FOR WOMEN | PEOPLE'S CHARTER | MORNING STAR Book Launch The CPB's SW District secretary, Ken Keable, has compiled and edited a new book, London Recruits - The Secret War against Apartheid, which is now on sale. You can find out more, including a short video here. Palestine Solidarity Campaign On March the 22nd, three groups from the Yeovil area have come together to hold the following meeting - What is the Palestine Solidarity Campaign? | DETAILS Devon The South Devon branch have committed themselves to holding a stall every month in either Exeter or Plymouth this year. Meanwhile North Devon have played a leading role in launching a branch of Liberation. Read the report of the launch here. Morning Star The South Devon Readers and Supporters group has held it's first "Political Breakfast". Email for more details and future meetings. | DETAILS Website Update The full text of our party programme Britain's Road to Socialism is now on the District website. We are also now working on a Cornish language version of key articles. District Commitee The next meeting is on Saturday 12th May. The Committee will be discussing plans for the party's presence at the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival on 13-15 July and for promoting the Morning Star there. Facebook CP supporters group Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Events Visit our site for full listings Facebook CP supporters group |  follow on Twitter  |  forward to a friend  You have requested to recieve Communist News & Views or made an enquiry to the CP Copyright © 2012 Communist Party, All rights reserved.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Swindon - Demonstrate This Saturday!

GMB have called a demonstration in Swindon for 17th March, on the theme of “We demand Respect at work”, which will be led by the strikers from Carillion at the Great Western Hospital.

Assemble 11:30 am behind Broad Green Community Centre, Salisbury Street, Swindon, of 17th March. Rally at 1:00 pm Canal Wharf

Please bring banners

Devon NHS children's services set for privatisation

Taken from the Guardian

Core children's health services in Devon may be about to be privatised in a move that critics have warned is a foretaste of the breaking up of the NHS that, they say, will take place when the government's health and social care bill becomes law.

The Guardian has learned that NHS Devon and Devon county council have shortlisted bids led by two private, profit-making companies – Serco and Virgin Care – to provide frontline services for children across the county, including some of the most sensitive care for highly vulnerable children and families, such as child protection, treatment for mentally ill children and adolescents, therapy and respite care for those with disabilities, health visiting, and palliative nursing for dying children.

Also on the shortlist for the £130m three-year NHS contract is Devon Partnership NHS Trust, bidding along with Barnado's and other local charities. But a source close to the process, which is now in its fourth and final stage, has told the Guardian that one of the two commercial companies' bids looks likely to win the tender.