Durham Miners’ Gala sends message to PM

12.07.10

The north east sent a message to David Cameron at the weekend, telling him that axing public services is not the only way to cut the deficit and warning of the damage that cuts could to to the region.

A letter from local people attending the annual Durham Miners' Gala told the prime minister that there were alternatives, such as cutting bankers' bonuses and introducing a Robin Hood tax, scrapping private profiteers and keeping service in-house.

UNISON's northern regional convenor Clare Williams blew apart the casual assumptions of Mr Cameron and his coalition partner Nick Clegg about the regional economy.

"The north has lost its manufacturing and mines. There are higher public service needs and a higher rate of child poverty than the national average. Up-to-date estimates suggest that a third of private sector jobs here depend on the public sector."

And she pointed out that the recent cancellation of the North Tees-Hartlepool Hospital is not just a public sector cut back, but it will also have a major knock-on effect on the private sector employers.