by David Kaplan, Camden and Haringey Socialist Party
Haringey Labour council has agreed to hike council tax by 5%, and continues to cut services and attack its workers. Teachers are striking against class size increases and housing maintenance workers in Unite the Union are in a long-standing dispute with the council.
Photo: London SP
For years, the Labour council has been carrying out cuts demanded by the previous Tory government — amounting to around £143 million a year since 2010. Now, facing financial crisis, it has applied for ‘exceptional financial support’, worth up to £37 million, from the Labour government. But this comes with strings attached: it allows for capitalisation of council assets, and for extra borrowing.
The projected cumulative funding gap by 2029-30 is set to reach £121 million. The council needs to be fighting the government for more funding.
It should be setting a council budget based on need — one that maintains and restores vital services, and that can meet the demands of workers in the borough. For example, by paying the maintenance workers the estimated £6,000 they have lost through pay freezes over the last ten years.
That’s what the Socialist Party will be campaigning for in the St Ann’s ward by-election on 10 April. The by-election was called after the resignation of Labour councillor, Tammy Hymas, citing disagreements over cuts, green issues and the Labour council’s stance on Palestine. She also said that she had faced abuse and threats for being a transgender woman in politics.
- Socialist Party member David Kaplan will stand as part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition