Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Raynerhas today (Saturday 11th July)
warned against a repeat of Thatcher-era “managed decline” for
Northern communities, arguing that the economic impact of
coronavirus must not increase the North-South divide.
Highlighting the “human cost” of mass unemployment in Northern
communities under previous Conservative governments, Rayner, who
represents Greater Manchester constituency Ashton-under-Lyne in
Parliament, will say that the Conservatives’ record of turning
their back on the North “speaks for itself”.
Analysis from the Resolution Foundation this week found that the
Chancellor’s stamp duty holiday for properties up to £500,000
will not benefit the average homebuyer in the North East, while
the average buyer in London will save over £14,000.
In a video message recorded for the Durham Miners’ Gala, the
annual labour movement and trade union celebration which is
taking place today online due to coronavirus restrictions,
, Labour’s Deputy Leader and
Party Chair, will say:
“The North-South divide is continuing to grow, and we cannot
afford for the economic impact of coronavirus to increase this
gap even more.
“The Tories talk a good game on this issue but their record of
turning their backs on the North speaks for itself.”
With the Labour Party calling on the government to focus on
protecting and creating jobs, will warn against a return
to mass unemployment last seen in the 1980’s under Margaret
Thatcher:
“Our mining communities know about the human cost of mass
unemployment. We know how it feels to be abandoned by a Tory
government and for entire generations to be consigned to what the
Thatcher government called ‘managed decline’”.
Rayner, who worked as a care worker and trade union official in
the North West before becoming a Member of Parliament, will say
that the coronavirus crisis has “shown the power of workers when
we stand together”, calling on workers across the country to
unite in the face of the economic impact of coronavirus:
“This crisis has shown the power of workers when we stand
together united, and shown the importance of trade unions
fighting to protect jobs and wages and defend workers’ rights.
“Together we are strong. And in the months ahead we will need our
collective strength as we fight to make sure that every worker is
safe at work, protect our communities and make sure the most
vulnerable in our society don’t bear the burden of the economic
impact of coronavirus.
Highlighting the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on female
workers and workers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic
backgrounds, Labour’s Deputy Leader will say:
“Four in five key workers in health and social care are women.
When we talk about the lack of PPE and low pay in the care sector
then that is an issue that disproportionately affects women.
“Female workers and workers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic
backgrounds are more likely to be key workers on the front line,
and Coronavirus is having a shockingly disproportionate impact on
Black Britons in particular.
“So fighting for our class means standing up for the working
class in all its diversity.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
