Benefit rights — private renters

Almost 40% of the annual £25bn housing benefit bill is paid to private landlords, who often get away with charging extortionate rents for poor quality housing. Tenants asking for repairs or furniture have been threatened with eviction or harassed, so it is important to know your rights. Groups that support tenants and also campaign, are: … Read more

Benefit rights — bedroom tax

Since 2013, the government reduced Housing Benefit (HB) to people in social housing who have one or more “spare” rooms. (Social housing is council, housing association or similar. Councils administering HB make the cut.) The government gives councils extra funds called Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) to help tenants in hardship due to the bedroom tax. … Read more

Council Tax help

Discounts, reductions and exemptions from paying Council Tax You can pay less Council Tax, for various reasons.  This can include: being the only adult in the property. being a young adult between 18-19 years of age. being a full-time student. being an apprentice. being temporarily away from your home — check with your Council. having … Read more

Bhopal, India

Bhopal Survivors Action 3 December 2014 To Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh (Bhopal Gas-Affected Women Stationery Workers’ Union) Dear Rashida, Champa and all sisters and brothers in Bhopal, We send our love, condolences and solidarity to you all on this 30th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster. We … Read more

Yes to Free Quality Care

Yes to free, quality care  –  we’ve earned it!  No to charging, rationing, profiteering and neglect.     Maria Nash, Barnet 2013            Justice for Jennyfer Spencer, Camden 2010    Camden pensioners vs cuts to day centres Living longer is a blessing, not a “problem”. If more people need care, why are fewer … Read more

Opposing Violence

   Reclaim the Night  At Reclaim the Night rally, November 2014 Brighton Feminist Collective Thank you to everyone that came out and Reclaimed the Night with us on Saturday! Around 450 people marched with us to demand safer streets! Our rally had an incredible line-up of speakers and performers that we’re so proud to have … Read more

Disabled People are not Worthless

Disabled people are not worthless Lord Freud’s willingness to consider paying people with disabilities £2 an hour, the closure of the Remploy factories and the demeaning treatment disabled people receive from Atos are starvation policies. The Nazis called us “useless eaters”, expressing similar contempt. This devaluing of human life is widespread. Mothers are called “workless” … Read more