- Conference
- 2016 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 24 September 2015
- Decision
- Carried
Since the disastrous election of a majority Tory Government in May 2015 the impact of public sector and welfare cuts has worsened for Black people.
The Tories first budget has deepened austerity with more than 1.25 million Black households and 4 million Black people worse off under the range of budget measures that will have a negative and disproportionate impact on Black people.
Cuts to tax credits, part-time working changes, and benefit caps on households with more than two children will have a greater impact on Black families than white families.
Black households are more likely living in poverty with nearly 50% of Pakistani children and over 40% of Bangladeshi children living in poverty.
A report from Runnymede Trust ‘The 2015 Budget – Effects on Black and minority ethnic people’ found that:
a)Cuts and freezes in tax credits are up to five times more likely to adversely affect Black people than white people as more Black people work part time than white people.
b)Youth unemployment has risen by 49% over the past five years amongst Black people compared to a 2% fall among young white people.
c)Nearly half of all overcrowded households in Britain are among Black people but the government is now restricting housing benefit for people in their late teens and early twenties.
d)Among young Black people affected by this change, many will be living in overcrowded households, sharing bedrooms with younger siblings, and so these changes are more likely to negatively affect housing quality among Black families and young people.
e)Further reduction in the Benefit Cap will hit Black workers the hardest as 40% of those affected by the benefit cap are Black workers although Black people make up just 14% of the population.
f)Black people make up 16% of Jobseekers Allowance claimants, 16% of lone parents claiming income support and 9% of those on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
g)Cutting Child Tax Credits and housing benefit for families with more than 2 children will increase Black child poverty rates and racial inequalities as 24% of Black families have more than 2 children compared to 8% of white households.
The report concludes that ‘the cumulative effect of the budget may become even more unfair over time’.
It is imperative that UNISON Black members be at the forefront of campaigns against the cuts and austerity.
Therefore conference calls upon the NBMC to:
1)Work with UNISON NEC to build for a national demonstration against austerity seeking to ensure the UNISON Black members banner is at the front of all demonstrations
2)Support and encourage UNISON Black members to stand as elected representatives as local councillors and MPs fighting against austerity and cuts
3)Encourage Black members to step up the work with local community organisations fighting cuts and austerity
4)Encourage Black members to step up the work with other trade union groups fighting the cuts e.g. through local trades councils
5)Seek to work with service groups to incorporate the impact of cuts on Black members in those areas into relevant campaigns.