- Conference
- 2015 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 16 September 2014
- Decision
- Carried
This Conference recognises that we are all aware of the impact that the vast changes to the Welfare State have had on our friends, families and communities.
A Coalition government determined to bring down the countries deficit and determined to make the poorest and most vulnerable pay, despite the fact that the lack of financial regulations and the reckless gambling of the banks caused our economy to fail.
Part of their measures of cuts, slash and burn has been to squeeze the very heart of British Society, The Welfare State. A system put into place after the war, to support the most vulnerable of our society and assist them in the times of need.
The coalition government has introduced a package of measures intended to reduce the increasing cost of Housing Benefit (HB). The Race Equality Foundation has published research on Black communities through ‘Better Housing’ that examines the impact of these cuts. Living in areas targeted by the cuts, Black communities are likely to experience higher child poverty rates and need larger accommodation due to family size. Furthermore, although some of the reductions in housing benefit do not apply to claimants with disabilities, there is evidence to suggest that Black disabled people are less likely to claim the benefits to which they are entitled.
The key facts the report has found include:
a) The reduction and capping of Local Housing Allowance will impact disproportionately on Black ethnic communities as many live in areas targeted by the cuts and will often need larger accommodation due to family size;
b) Child poverty rates for Black families in the UK are higher than the national average and the Housing Benefit cuts are likely to increase this disparity;
c) Increased conditionality for working-age claimants is more likely to impact on Black claimants as they are disproportionately represented among workless households;
d) Some of the reductions in Housing Benefit do not apply to claimants with disabilities; however, Black claimants are less likely to claim the benefits that provide this protection.
Conference notes that a cross party committee set up by the government to look into the shocking increase in food banks released the following figures; costs have increased at a greater rate than earnings since 2003, with food up by 46.4% and fuel up by 154%, significantly more than earnings, which have risen by 27.9% and overall inflation (up 37.5%).
The number of families accessing food banks and needing emergency food packages has grown alarmingly in the last three years. The Trussell Trust Group, who provide emergency food packages to people in crisis across the country have produced the following statistics:-
2011 – 2012 128,697 people were provided with 3 days emergency food
2012 – 2013 346,992 people were provided with 3 days emergency food
2013 – 2014 913,138 people were provided with 3 days emergency food
The main reason for this alarming increase is the changes to the benefits system with cuts to allowances and delays in payments.
As a country, we simply cannot continue. As a Trade Union we should be defending the Welfare State and highlighting this gross unfairness to our work colleagues; friends and community.
Therefore in light of the above statistics Conference calls upon the NBMC to:
1)Work with sympathetic organisations to gather statistical information on how the changes to the Welfare State have impacted Black Communities across the country;
2)Identify the priority key areas of concern to Black Members;
3)Work with the Labour Link Committee to raise these priorities with the Labour Party, so that they can be considered in manifestos;
4)Produce the research for branches to distribute and discuss in workplace meetings and publish in Black Action.