Peoples Assembly: Day of action the night before the Budget Tuesday 21 November, Nationwide

#SackTheTories
Stop the Universal Credit Crisis - Stop Tax Avoidance
Day of action the night before the BudgetTuesday 21 November, Nationwide

Universal Credit

The Government's plans to overhaul the welfare system by forcing people onto Universal Credit have been widely criticised by MPs, charities, and campaigners all warning that this is likely to cause a rise in homelessness, poverty, and unnecessary debt. It will leave thousands without an income for weeks as they wait to be transferred, many will be left thousands of pounds worse off, and there is reduced support for claimants. The Trussell Trust have said that they expect a 30% increase in foodbank use this winter in areas where Universal Credit is rolled out. Child Poverty Action Group have found that Government welfare reform will push 1 million children below the poverty line. 

The cost of moving to Universal Credit was originally estimated at £2.2bn, however it is now at a staggering £15.8bn and still rising.

Paradise Papers

Revelations in the Paradise Papers show how companies, politicians and individuals are avoiding paying billions of pounds in tax using offshore tax havens rather than paying their fair share here. Theresa May said she would clamp down on tax avoidance but loopholes are still in operation.

More people than ever are having to rely on foodbanks to feed their families, our NHS is in a funding crisis, public sector workers are still facing a pay cap below inflation, millions can't access affordable housing while the richest individuals and biggest companies take money that should be spent on dealing with these problems and squirrel it away for themselves. The Government is doing nothing to stop it. 

#SackTheTories

The People's Assembly is calling a nationwide day of action the night before the Chancellors Budget is announced. We're organising 'Stop the Universal Credit Crisis - Stop Tax Avoidance' protests in towns and cities across the country. As part of the protests we're collecting food which will be donated to local foodbanks so their shelves are stocked to deal with the fallout from Universal Credit and the continuation of austerity policies in the budget.   

We want to urge the Government to use the Budget to scrap their plans for Universal Credit, to close tax loopholes and force the tax avoiders to pay their fair share, to end the public sector pay cap with an increase above inflation, and to make sure our public services are properly funded.

We will also be using the thousands of pounds that was raised through sales of Captain Ska's track 'Liar Liar' to buy tonnes of food and deliver it to foodbanks across the country. But before it's delivered, we'll be displaying all of it right on the doorstep of Downing Street to show Theresa May and Phillip Hammond the effect their damaging policies are having on ordinary people - this will take place as part of the London wide protest on Tuesday 21 November. Join us at Downing Street or at one of the many protests that will be taking place across the country and don't forget to bring along food for the foodbank collection. 

If you would like to set something up where you live please get in touch and we will add to our list of events. More information to follow.

JOIN AN EVENT (more to be confirmed):

London5:30pm - 7pm, Tuesday 21 November, Downing Street, London
https://www.facebook.com/events/1968486683476948/

Manchester
6:30pm, Tuesday 21 November, GMEX Steps, Windmill Street M2 3GX
https://www.facebook.com/events/296804000806920/ 

Swindon

4:00pm - 8:00pm, Tuesday 21 November, Wharf Green Swindon Town Centre SN15 3

https://www.facebook.com/events/201493753726609/

Calderdale
6:30pm, Tuesday 21 November, St George's Square, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8
https://www.facebook.com/events/811335062404833/
 
Hastings
5:30pm, Tuesday 21 November, Outside Lloyd's Bank, Wellington Place, Hastings, TN34 1NX
 
Merseyside
4:00pm, Tuesday 21 November, Queens Square, Liverpool

Milton Keynes
5pm until 6.30pm outside Civic offices, Central Milton Keynes

Nottingham 
12:00pm, Saturday 2 December, Old Market Square, Nottingham, MK18 3
https://www.facebook.com/events/1128093670658916/

Sheffield

5:30pm, Tuesday 21 November, Sheffield Cathedral

https://www.facebook.com/events/405688823181350/

Birmingham 

5:00pm, Wednesday 22 November, Waterstones Birmingham

https://www.facebook.com/events/331804610619889/

If you can organise a protest or an event in your area please get in touch: office@thepeoplesassembly.org.uk

Items that are needed for foodbanks:

• Tinned meat
• Tinned fish
• Tinned veg
• Tinned fruit
• Pasta sauces
• Instant coffee
• Milk (UHT or powdered)
• Fruit juice (long life)
• Tinned pudding
• Jam / preserves
• Instant mashed potato
• Male and female toiletries

The Trussell Trust have said they would like collections to stick to the above items when collecting as these are the most urgent items and they have lack of storage space for others. 

The People's Assembly Against Austerity
http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/