Britain
UK: Rotherham Hospital spends £3 million on consultants advising on cuts
By Dave Hyland, 20 May 2013
Rotherham Hospital in South Yorkshire is implementing a programme of 750 job cut and attacks on pay and conditions.
UK Conservatives shaken by revolt over European Union referendum
By Robert Stevens, 17 May 2013
Including ministerial aides, 116 Conservatives, half of the party’s Members of Parliament, voted against the Cameron government.
Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby versus Prince Harry and his polo-playing American friends
By David Walsh, 17 May 2013
During his recent trip to the US, Britain’s Prince Harry had time for a polo match in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Obama, Cameron hold Syria war summit in Washington
By Alex Lantier and Chris Marsden, 14 May 2013
The US and British heads of government discussed stepping up their campaign for war in Syria as well as plans for intervening throughout the Middle East.
Britain’s Queen’s speech: Anti-immigrant rhetoric in support of austerity
By Julie Hyland, 11 May 2013
By scapegoating immigrants as undeserving “scroungers”, the government intends to deny people, including European Union citizens, the right to access public services, including welfare, health care and housing.
Thousands of job cuts in UK financial sector
By Jordan Shilton, 9 May 2013
Over recent months, financial firms in Britain including banks and insurers have announced thousands of lay-offs.
British imperialism’s return to “East of Suez”
By Jean Shaoul, 8 May 2013
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, got the full treatment on his state visit to Britain last week.
David North addresses London meeting on the 15th anniversary of the WSWS
By our reporters, 8 May 2013
The chairman of the World Socialist Web Site’s international editorial board and national chairman of the SEP (US) addressed a well attended meeting in London on the significance of 15 years of the WSWS.
UK teaching unions stage token protest in North West
By Margot Miller, 1 May 2013
The timetable of rolling regional strikes is designed to have as little effect as possible.
One million schoolchildren in England to be vaccinated as measles threat grows
By Harvey Thompson, 1 May 2013
An epidemic outbreak of measles in Swansea, Wales has seen almost 950 cases to date.
UK base carrying out Afghan drone strikes
By Robert Stevens, 30 April 2013
A specially created mission base in Lincolnshire, England is directing drone strikes on Afghanistan.
UK’s Sunday Times Rich List records massive increase in wealth
By Simon Whelan, 26 April 2013
The numbers of billionaires in the United Kingdom stands at a record 88—up from 77 last year.
UK: 50,000 march to save Stafford Hospital
By Ben York and Paul Mitchell, 23 April 2013
The massive turnout to protest plans to close Stafford Hospital testifies to the determination of local residents and hospital staff to protect services.
Thatcher’s funeral: Pomp in the service of political reaction
By Chris Marsden and Julie Hyland, 18 April 2013
The sole reason that a lavish funeral could be held for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the most hated political figure in contemporary British history, was the absence of an outlet for oppositional sentiment.
Britain’s involvement in assassination of Congo’s Lumumba confirmed
By Jean Shaoul, 18 April 2013
A senior British politician has revealed Britain’s involvement in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo’s first prime minister.
National Union of Students complicit in British government attacks on students
By Thomas Scripps, 17 April 2013
The National Union of Students has launched a phoney campaign to “Bring Back” the Educational Maintenance Allowance, after previously sabotaging the opposition to its abolition.
UK Green Party helps impose cuts in Bristol
By Richard Duckworth, 17 April 2013
The Greens’ track record once in power, in Britain and across Europe, is one of reassuring the financial institutions and banks that they will implement austerity measures.
British banks engulfed in new scandals
By Jordan Shilton, 16 April 2013
The Parliamentary Commission on Banking declared that HBOS crashed after a lack of risk controls, rapid and aggressive expansion and poor management amounting to a “colossal failure” on the part of bank executives
Health workers in southern England forced to sign new low-pay contracts
By Ajanta Silva, 16 April 2013
TQtwentyone, a large National Health Service provider operating in southern England, is seeking to cut workers’ pay, terms and conditions.
Unions sabotage strike by ambulance staff in Yorkshire, England
By Barry Mason, 12 April 2013
Around 450 ambulance workers employed by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust held a one-day strike April 2.
British parliament unites in praise of Margaret Thatcher
By Julie Hyland, 11 April 2013
The recall of Britain’s parliament was the occasion for the government and opposition Labour Party to applaud Margaret Thatcher’s right-wing nostrums and assault on the working class.
The attack on UK health care and the case of Leeds General Infirmary
By Liz Smith, 11 April 2013
The ongoing crisis of Leeds General Infirmary, in which child heart surgery provision was suspended, reveals the grave consequences of the deliberate running down of National Health Service resources.
UK Council Tax changes spell deepening poverty for millions
By Dennis Moore, 10 April 2013
From this month, millions of the poorest people in the UK are being forced to pay Council Tax for the first time, plunging many into deeper poverty.
Thatcher’s legacy
By Julie Hyland and Chris Marsden, 9 April 2013
Most working people will have greeted the announcement of her demise with cold indifference, contempt, and, in some cases, celebration.
Britain: South West NHS Pay Cartel publishes plans to cut wages and conditions
By Ajanta Silva, 9 April 2013
The final business plan of the National Health Service management in the south west of England serves as a blueprint for reducing the pay and conditions for workers throughout the NHS.
UK politicians, media exploit children’s deaths to demand further attack on welfare
By Julie Hyland, 8 April 2013
Politicians in the UK have responded to the tragic deaths of six children in a house fire to demand even further cuts in welfare spending.
UK Prime Minister Cameron stokes fires of war against North Korea
By Chris Marsden, 6 April 2013
Once again the UK is providing the lies necessary to justify military aggression by US imperialism, as Washington pursues plans to secure its global dominance.
UK: The political fraud of the “anti-bedroom tax” campaign
By Steve James, 6 April 2013
The pseudo-left parties in the UK are using opposition to the introduction of the “bedroom tax” to help the trade unions, Labour Party and Scottish National Party posture as opponents of austerity.
UK Labour’s David Miliband joins International Rescue Committee
By Dave Hyland, 5 April 2013
David Miliband’s move to the International Rescue Committee means he will continue to play a role in the political intrigues of British and US imperialism.
UK: Privatisation agenda causing overcrowded schools and poor-quality education
By Joe Mount, 5 April 2013
The drive towards the privatisation of education in Britain is leading to a dire shortage of school places and poor-quality education provision.
Largest ever welfare cuts come into force in Britain
By Paul Mitchell, 4 April 2013
This month, historic cuts in welfare provision come into force, driving millions further into destitution.
Britain: Conservatives and Labour step up witch-hunt against immigrants
By Paul Mitchell, 1 April 2013
UK Prime Minister David Cameron calls for the denial of welfare rights to migrant workers and immigrants.
UK health regulator reports on poor care of the elderly
By Ajanta Silva, 30 March 2013
The UK’s Care Quality Commission has produced a report documenting the severe deterioration in the quality of care for elderly people.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not exempt from threat of National Health Service destruction
By Steve James, 28 March 2013
All the regional devolved administrations in the UK are pushing ahead the assault on health care underway in England.
UK teaching unions signal no resistance to cuts
By Jo March, 26 March 2013
Unions announce a timetable of rolling regional strikes, not scheduled to begin for three months.
Immigrant baby in Britain refused operation to prevent paralysis
By Joan Smith, 25 March 2013
An eight-month-old baby, born in the UK and requiring a critical operation, has been denied National Health Service treatment because of her parents’ immigrant status.
SYRIZA leader Tsipras addresses the British pseudo-left
By Robert Stevens, 23 March 2013
Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Greece’s SYRIZA spoke in London at several events last week.
UK’s new press regulations a major threat to democratic rights
By Julie Hyland, 22 March 2013
The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties have agreed to establish a press regulatory body by Royal Charter that overturns 300 years of press freedom.
Sun newspaper deputy editor charged, Trinity Mirror journalists arrested
UK phone-hacking scandal spreads
By Dave Hyland, 22 March 2013
As more details of criminal activity by the Rupert Murdoch-owned News International emerge, further arrests of senior journalists are made at Mirror Group Newspapers.
Osborne’s “Aspiration Nation” budget signals more UK austerity
By Paul Bond, 21 March 2013
Chancellor George Osborne’s budget speech has set out more money for British banks, speculators and major corporations, while workers face a continued wage freeze and greater cuts in social provision.
State clampdown in Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 20 March 2013
A wave of arrests in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland have serious consequences for democratic rights.
Oppose the privatisation of education
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Britain), 20 March 2013
Public education in Britain is being eliminated and handed over to the private sector.
UK public inquiry into Iraq war to withhold crucial documents
By Robert Stevens, 18 March 2013
The UK inquiry report on the Iraq war will be published without evidence on discussions between Tony Blair and George Bush in the run-up to the invasion 10 years ago.
Britain: Student beaten by police finally found not guilty
By Joan Smith, 16 March 2013
Alfie Meadows, who was brutally beaten by police during the anti-tuition fees protests in 2010, was cleared of violent disorder.
Britain and France seek end to arms embargo on Syria
By Chris Marsden, 14 March 2013
The UK, France and various regional powers such as the Gulf monarchies and Turkey are taking their cue from Washington, which has worked behind the scenes for months to channel weapons into Syria
British Labour Party steps up anti-immigrant rhetoric
By Robert Stevens, 14 March 2013
To win support from the ultra-nationalist electoral constituency and from Murdoch, Labour has moved decisively in taking up anti-immigration propaganda.
Hospital unions attempt sellout of British strike
By Barry Mason, 12 March 2013
The Unison and Unite unions are working to wind down a strike by National Health Service workers at the Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust, with the aid of the pseudo-left.
Local UK official who said disabled children should be “put down” resigns
By Mark Blackwood, 11 March 2013
The comment by an Independent member of Cornwall Council says a good deal about the character of the discussions taking place within the political elite over spending cuts.
UK government lays out agenda for National Health Service privatisation
By Julie Hyland, 11 March 2013
Whatever amendments may be made to section 75, it is to become virtually compulsory to hand NHS service provision over to private companies.
UK government passes legislation for secret courts
By Jean Shaoul, 9 March 2013
The Justice and Security Bill marks a major departure in principles of English law—that cases are held and decided in public and the evidence presented by the other party is disclosed.
Eastleigh by-election used to shift UK politics rightwards
By Dave Hyland, 7 March 2013
The results of last week's by-election in Eastleigh, England confirm the deep unpopularity of Conservative Party and Liberal Democrat coalition partners
The occupation of Friern Barnet Library and the future of public services in Britain
By Peter Reydt, 7 March 2013
The establishment of a “community” library in Friern Barnet demonstrates how the politics of Occupy play into the hands of the ruling elite.
UK: A quarter of Greater Manchester’s population living in “extreme poverty”
By Trevor Johnson, 5 March 2013
Six of the local wards in Greater Manchester are among the 60 most deprived wards in the UK.
National Health Services in London under sustained attack
By Paul Stuart, 4 March 2013
The Labour Party, trade unions and pseudo-left groups in Britain are playing the main role in facilitating the decimation of the National Health Service.
Sussex University students and staff oppose privatisation
By Joe Mount, 2 March 2013
Hundreds of students and staff at the University of Sussex are protesting the outsourcing of non-academic jobs to privately owned companies.
British trade union mounts witch-hunt based on accusations of “rape denial”
By Julie Hyland, 1 March 2013
The resolution passed by the UNISON trade union women’s conference denying a public platform to what it terms “rape deniers” is thoroughly reactionary and anti-democratic.
Moody’s credit downgrade heightens UK economic crisis
By Chris Marsden, 27 February 2013
The downgrade of the UK’s credit rating was a negative verdict on Britain’s economy that is well founded.
UK: Rotherham Hospital workers face further attacks on jobs and conditions
By Dave Hyland, 26 February 2013
Attacks on workers being prepared by the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust in South Yorkshire, England also threaten medical care in this working class area.
Social cleansing of London
Camden Council plans to move out 761 families
By Paul Bond, 25 February 2013
Local councils—with Labour-run administrations in the lead—are implementing a policy of social cleansing by trying to relocate families up to 200 miles away.
Prime Minister Cameron’s India tour highlights UK’s weakening global position
By Julie Hyland, 22 February 2013
Cameron said that there was “no thinking” that a partnership with India “is ours for the taking”. He was right.
Mayor of London pushes ahead with fire station closures
By Marc Milton, 21 February 2013
Twelve London stations are slated to close beginning in October, eliminating 520 jobs.
Fresh arrests in UK’s News International phone-hacking scandal
By Dave Hyland, 21 February 2013
Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to distance himself from the illegal phone-hacking scandal engulfing his media empire has suffered a serious setback.
UK gay marriage bill: An undemocratic fraud
By Paul Bond, 20 February 2013
The passage through the House of Commons of British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill is being depicted as a democratic triumph. It is no such thing.
Death of pensioner highlights crisis of UK care for elderly
By Peter Reydt, 20 February 2013
An 81-year-old woman died after being left alone in her house without any medicine, food or drink.
UK conservative think tank uses child poverty to further its agenda
By Joe Mount, 15 February 2013
The objective is to argue that child poverty should be redefined to blame “benefit entitlement” for “encouraging worklessness.”
Britain’s Socialist Workers Party descends into factional warfare
By Chris Marsden, 14 February 2013
The politics of the anti-leadership faction has been incubated by the SWP. These forces draw on positions advocated for years by the party.
Stafford Hospital report points to decimation of Britain’s National Health Service
By Julie Hyland, 13 February 2013
Up to 1,200 patients are estimated to have died as a result of the poor care they received at Stafford Hospital.
UK horsemeat scandal spreads to Europe
By Barry Mason, 12 February 2013
A European Union-wide health alert has been issued after Findus France recalled products.
UK government implements cuts in South East London Healthcare Trust
By Rick Wilson, 12 February 2013
The coalition government is to press ahead with serious cuts to heath services in south east London.
UK postal workers at Whitstable abandoned by Communication Workers Union
By Zach Reed, 11 February 2013
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) called off a second 24-hour strike by postal workers against the closure of the Whitstable Delivery Office in East Kent.
UK: Honda slashes nearly one third of jobs at Swindon
By Richard Duckworth, 8 February 2013
The announcement comes less than six months after British politicians, business circles and the media praised Honda to the skies and declared that Britain had “won the global car war”.
Dead children used to provide identification for UK undercover police
By Dave Hyland, 7 February 2013
British undercover police used the identities of dead children.
Britain: Closure plans for Trafford General Hospital’s Accident & Emergency unit approved
By Tony Robson, 5 February 2013
The closure of the Accident & Emergency unit at Trafford General Hospital in Greater Manchester, the hospital where the National Health Service was founded, has been approved.
UK youth face bleak job prospects in 2013
By Joe Mount, 5 February 2013
Youth unemployment continues to rise in the UK, with a new study forecasting that 86,000 more workers under the age of 25 will be without jobs this year.
Britain makes its own military push into Africa
By Jean Shaoul, 2 February 2013
Britain is to send at least 350 military personnel to Mali and West Africa in a direct challenge to French efforts to dominate the region.
Increasing mental health problems among Britain’s young people
By Thomas Scripps, 2 February 2013
One in ten young people feel they cannot cope with day-to-day life.
UK economy on edge of triple dip recession
By Peter Reydt, 1 February 2013
Official GDP figures show the UK economy contracted in the last quarter of 2012 by 0.3 percent and is on course for a “triple-dip” recession.
UK: Unite union appeals to Labour to save the National Health Service
By Richard Duckworth, 1 February 2013
At a public meeting in Bristol, England, the Unite trade union appealed to Labour, the party that initiated the privatisation of the National Health Service, to save it.
Burger scandal reveals food adulteration in Britain
By Robert Stevens, 31 January 2013
This latest case of adulterated food products demonstrates how the search for higher profits has compromised public health.
Staff strike at Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust in England
By Barry Mason and Julie Hyland, 30 January 2013
Administration workers and clerical staff at three hospitals began a five-day strike on Monday.
Britain, US escalate war aid as France advances into northern Mali
By Alex Lantier, 29 January 2013
Britain has pledged to deploy troops to Mali and the US is planning a base for drones as the imperialist intervention in the Sahara escalates.
Thousands march in London against threat to close Lewisham Hospital Accident & Emergency unit
By our correspondent, 29 January 2013
Around 25,000 people marched through the South East London borough of Lewisham on Saturday to protest the threat to close the hospital’s Accident & Emergency unit and to downgrade its maternity ward.
Germany: Deutsche Telekom cuts a further 1,200 jobs
By Dietmar Henning, 26 January 2013
The firm aims to save €100 million annually through the destruction of jobs in marketing, management and administration.
UK Probation Service to be privatised
By Paul Veevers, 26 January 2013
The budget of £4 billion for prisons and Probation Services represents rich pickings for the corporate sector.
UK Socialist Party backs Len McCluskey reelection in UNITE union
By Paul Stuart, 26 January 2013
The UK Socialist Party web site boasted of a meeting with Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Britain’s largest trade union UNITE.
UK Prime Minister Cameron commits to 2017 referendum on EU membership
By Julie Hyland, 25 January 2013
Cameron’s commitment to a referendum on EU membership was met with criticism from various European governments.
British MPs feign indignation over university links to warmongers
By Simon Whelan, 24 January 2013
All the major universities now have extensive ties with business and not a few with the arms industry and security services.
Three UK retail chains collapse
By Julie Hyland, 22 January 2013
Three major UK retailers collapsed in the space of just one week, wiping out 10,000 jobs and up to 1,000 stores.
“Green-on-blue” attacks continue in Afghanistan
By Harvey Thompson, 22 January 2013
All eight deaths among British soldiers on the current tour have been the result of attacks by uniformed Afghan security forces.
UK: Parents and staff demonstrate against closure of Sheffield children’s centres
By Liz Smith, 21 January 2013
Up to 19 of the city’s 36 Sure Start centres are to close, with the loss of up to 150 fully trained staff.
Fightback needed to defend the UK’s National Health Service
21 January 2013
The Socialist Equality Party (UK) has taken the initiative in launching a national campaign to defend the National Health Service.
UK Conservatives appoint major donor John Nash as education minister
By Jo March, 18 January 2013
The appointment of venture capitalist John Nash as British education minister hammers another nail in the coffin of public education.
UK: Barnet Council proceeds with public services outsourcing
By Paul Bond, 16 January 2013
Barnet Council in north London is pushing through a major privatisation project.
Fear of British EU exit prompts US/German warnings
By Julie Hyland, 16 January 2013
Fears of destabilisation or even a “Brexit” from the European Union have prompted Washington and Berlin into a war of words with UK Prime Minister Cameron
Exposure of sex-for-fees web site underscores UK student poverty
By Aidan Claire and Joe Mount, 15 January 2013
The Independent reports on the existence of a web site offering students up to £15,000 a year to have sex with its clients.
Benefit cuts to impoverish millions in Britain
By Robert Stevens, 14 January 2013
Many benefit payments, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Maternity Allowance, and Sick Pay, will be cut.
UK: Peterborough National Health Service Trust deepens attacks on workers and services
By Steve Woodbridge and Danny Westwood, 14 January 2013
National Health Service provision in Peterborough, England is being further eroded, with more jobs and services under threat.
Britain: Labour promotes anti-immigrant chauvinism
By Jordan Shilton, 12 January 2013
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband’s anti-immigrant stance is based on a declared “one nation” vision borrowed from the Tories.
Government prepares to dissolve South London National Health Service Trust
By Paul Stuart, 11 January 2013
South London hospitals are facing devastating budget cuts, ward and service closures.
Finucane review shows links between British intelligence and loyalist death squads in Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 10 January 2013
Finucane was killed less than a month after a Home Office minister declared, “There are in Northern Ireland a number of solicitors who are unduly sympathetic to the cause of the IRA.”
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