Budget must tax the greedy, not cut public services
- UNISON
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Matt Smith
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Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary of
UNISON told delegates at the Scottish TUC that the
economic crisis must be paid for by fairer taxation,
and more investment in public services.
In a hard-hitting speech on the first
day of 2009's Scottish TUC in Perth, Matt will point
out that the crisis has been caused by relying on
a 'get rich quick' philosophy, and that the proponents
of that philosophy are still arguing for the failed
policies of deregulation and attacks on the public
sector.
Matt Smith, said:
"The richest one per cent in
our society have doubled their share of total income
since the 1980s. Today, they pocket more money than
the entire workforces of the NHS, state education
and local government put together. And they pay
back nothing like their fair share of tax. Almost
£20 billion is lost from the money to pay
for our services every year because of the use and
abuse of "tax havens".
He went on to call for a budget that
closes these tax avoidance loopholes, reject the
'free market' and say that the government must invest
those funds in regenerating the economy, providing
loans and mortgages and protecting those on low
pay and on benefits. This should be done by supporting
communities to keep as many as possible in useful
employment.
Matt Smith said:
"There is no more efficient
way to promote a better society than by directing
funds to meet unmet needs and to employ those who
are cast aside by the actions of others. Government
must listen when working people call for a just
society that rejects free market economics."
ENDS
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