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The chancellor must end austerity now – it is punishing an entire generation The chancellor must end austerity now – it is punishing an entire generation
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Sun 19 Nov 2017 19.11 GMT
Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 13.32 GMT
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Seven years of austerity has destroyed lives. An estimated 30,000 excess deaths can be linked to cuts in NHS spending and the social care crisis in 2015 alone. The number of food parcels given to impoverished Britons has grown from tens of thousands in 2010 to over a million. Children are suffering from real-terms spending cuts in up to 88% of schools. The public sector pay cap has meant that millions of workers are struggling to make ends meet.Seven years of austerity has destroyed lives. An estimated 30,000 excess deaths can be linked to cuts in NHS spending and the social care crisis in 2015 alone. The number of food parcels given to impoverished Britons has grown from tens of thousands in 2010 to over a million. Children are suffering from real-terms spending cuts in up to 88% of schools. The public sector pay cap has meant that millions of workers are struggling to make ends meet.
Alongside the mounting human costs, austerity has hurt our economy. The UK has experienced its weakest recovery on record and suffers from poor levels of investment, leading to low productivity and falling wages. This government has missed every one of its own debt reduction targets because austerity simply doesn’t work.Alongside the mounting human costs, austerity has hurt our economy. The UK has experienced its weakest recovery on record and suffers from poor levels of investment, leading to low productivity and falling wages. This government has missed every one of its own debt reduction targets because austerity simply doesn’t work.
The case for cuts has been grounded in ideology and untruths. We’ve been told public debt is the outcome of overspending on public services rather than bailing out the banks. We’ve been told that while the government can find money for the DUP, we cannot afford investment in public services and infrastructure. We’ve been told that unless we “tighten our belts” we’ll saddle future generations with debt – but it’s the onslaught of cuts that is punishing an entire generation.The case for cuts has been grounded in ideology and untruths. We’ve been told public debt is the outcome of overspending on public services rather than bailing out the banks. We’ve been told that while the government can find money for the DUP, we cannot afford investment in public services and infrastructure. We’ve been told that unless we “tighten our belts” we’ll saddle future generations with debt – but it’s the onslaught of cuts that is punishing an entire generation.
Given the unprecedented economic uncertainty posed by Brexit negotiations and the private sector’s failure to invest, we cannot risk exacerbating an already anaemic recovery with further public spending cuts. We’ve reached a dangerous tipping point. Austerity has failed the British people and the British economy. We demand the chancellor ends austerity now.Given the unprecedented economic uncertainty posed by Brexit negotiations and the private sector’s failure to invest, we cannot risk exacerbating an already anaemic recovery with further public spending cuts. We’ve reached a dangerous tipping point. Austerity has failed the British people and the British economy. We demand the chancellor ends austerity now.
Joseph Stiglitz Professor, Columbia UniversityJoseph Stiglitz Professor, Columbia University
Ha-Joon Chang Professor, University of CambridgeHa-Joon Chang Professor, University of Cambridge
David Graeber Professor of anthropology, LSEDavid Graeber Professor of anthropology, LSE
Ann Pettifor Director, Prime EconomicsAnn Pettifor Director, Prime Economics
Danny Dorling Professor, University of OxfordDanny Dorling Professor, University of Oxford
Saskia Sassen Professor, Columbia UniversitySaskia Sassen Professor, Columbia University
Sir Richard Jolly Emeritus professor, Institute of Development StudiesSir Richard Jolly Emeritus professor, Institute of Development Studies
Mike Savage Co-director of International Inequalities Institute, London School of EconomicsMike Savage Co-director of International Inequalities Institute, London School of Economics
David Blanchflower Professor of economics, Dartmouth CollegeDavid Blanchflower Professor of economics, Dartmouth College
Richard Murphy Director of Tax Research UK, University of LondonRichard Murphy Director of Tax Research UK, University of London
Kate Pickett Professor of epidemiology, University of YorkKate Pickett Professor of epidemiology, University of York
Richard G Wilkinson Emeritus professor of public health, University of NottinghamRichard G Wilkinson Emeritus professor of public health, University of Nottingham
Beverley Skeggs Academic director of International Inequalities Institute Atlantic fellows programme, LSEBeverley Skeggs Academic director of International Inequalities Institute Atlantic fellows programme, LSE
Diane Elson Emeritus professor, University of EssexDiane Elson Emeritus professor, University of Essex
Frances Stewart Director for research on inequality, human security and ethnicity, University of OxfordFrances Stewart Director for research on inequality, human security and ethnicity, University of Oxford
Simon Wren-Lewis Professor of economic policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of OxfordSimon Wren-Lewis Professor of economic policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
Malcolm Sawyer Emeritus professor of economics, University of LeedsMalcolm Sawyer Emeritus professor of economics, University of Leeds
Victoria Chick Emeritus professor of economics, University College LondonVictoria Chick Emeritus professor of economics, University College London
John Weeks Emeritus professor of economics, SoasJohn Weeks Emeritus professor of economics, Soas
Gurminder Bhambra Professor of sociology, Warwick UniversityGurminder Bhambra Professor of sociology, Warwick University
Jason Hickel Department of anthropology, Goldsmiths University of LondonJason Hickel Department of anthropology, Goldsmiths University of London
Özlem Onaran Department of international business and economics, University of GreenwichÖzlem Onaran Department of international business and economics, University of Greenwich
Howard Reed Director, Landman EconomicsHoward Reed Director, Landman Economics
Valpy FitzGerald Emeritus professor of international development finance, University of OxfordValpy FitzGerald Emeritus professor of international development finance, University of Oxford
Ruth Pearson Emeritus professor, University of LeedsRuth Pearson Emeritus professor, University of Leeds
Len McCluskey General secretary, UniteLen McCluskey General secretary, Unite
David Prentis General secretary, UnisonDavid Prentis General secretary, Unison
Tim Roache General secretary, GMBTim Roache General secretary, GMB
Mark Serwotka General secretary, PCSMark Serwotka General secretary, PCS
Manuel Cortes General secretary, TSSAManuel Cortes General secretary, TSSA
Sally Hunt General Secretary, UCUSally Hunt General Secretary, UCU
Kevin Courtney Co-general secretary, NEUKevin Courtney Co-general secretary, NEU
Mary Bousted Co-general secretary, NEUMary Bousted Co-general secretary, NEU
Ronnie Draper General secretary, BFAWURonnie Draper General secretary, BFAWU
Horace Trubridge General secretary, MUHorace Trubridge General secretary, MU
Dave Ward General secretary, CWUDave Ward General secretary, CWU
Mick Whelan General secretary, AslefMick Whelan General secretary, Aslef
Doug Nicholls General secretary, General Federation of Trade UnionsDoug Nicholls General secretary, General Federation of Trade Unions
Matt Wrack General secretary, Fire Brigade’s UnionMatt Wrack General secretary, Fire Brigade’s Union
Shakira Martin General secretary, NUSShakira Martin General secretary, NUS
Janet Davies General secretary, Royal College of NursesJanet Davies General secretary, Royal College of Nurses
Radical Housing NetworkRadical Housing Network
UK UncutUK Uncut
Sam Tarry President, ClassSam Tarry President, Class
Faiza Shaheen Director, CLASSFaiza Shaheen Director, CLASS
Omar Khan Director, Runnymede TrustOmar Khan Director, Runnymede Trust
Mary-Ann Stephenson Co-director, Women’s Budget GroupMary-Ann Stephenson Co-director, Women’s Budget Group
David Hillman Chair, Robin Hood TaxDavid Hillman Chair, Robin Hood Tax
Asad Rehman Director, War on WantAsad Rehman Director, War on Want
Sarah-Jayne Clifton Director, Jubilee Debt CampaignSarah-Jayne Clifton Director, Jubilee Debt Campaign
Sam Fairbairn National secretary, People’s Assembly Against AusteritySam Fairbairn National secretary, People’s Assembly Against Austerity
Linda Burnip Founder, Disabled People against CutsLinda Burnip Founder, Disabled People against Cuts
Fran Boait Executive director, Positive MoneyFran Boait Executive director, Positive Money
Will Snell Director, Tax Justice UKWill Snell Director, Tax Justice UK
Miatta Fahnbulleh Chief executive, New Economics FoundationMiatta Fahnbulleh Chief executive, New Economics Foundation
Kayleigh Garthwaite Fellow, department of social policy, sociology and criminology, University of BirminghamKayleigh Garthwaite Fellow, department of social policy, sociology and criminology, University of Birmingham
Ruth Patrick Postdoctoral researcher, School of Law and Social Justice, University of LiverpoolRuth Patrick Postdoctoral researcher, School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool
Tracey Jensen Lecturer in media and cultural studies, Lancaster UniversityTracey Jensen Lecturer in media and cultural studies, Lancaster University
Stewart Lansley Visiting fellow, Bristol UniversityStewart Lansley Visiting fellow, Bristol University
Andrew Cumbers Professor, Adam Smith Business SchoolAndrew Cumbers Professor, Adam Smith Business School
Prem Sikka Professor of accounting, University of EssexPrem Sikka Professor of accounting, University of Essex
Christine Cooper Professor of accounting and finance, University of StrathclydeChristine Cooper Professor of accounting and finance, University of Strathclyde
Jo Michell Associate professor of economics, UWE BristolJo Michell Associate professor of economics, UWE Bristol
David Spencer Professor of economics and political economy, University of LeedsDavid Spencer Professor of economics and political economy, University of Leeds
Alfredo Saad-Filho Professor, SoasAlfredo Saad-Filho Professor, Soas
Simon Reid-Henry Reader in geography, Queen Mary University of LondonSimon Reid-Henry Reader in geography, Queen Mary University of London
Mary Mellor Emeritus professor, Northumbria UniversityMary Mellor Emeritus professor, Northumbria University
Hugh Willmott Professor of management, University of LondonHugh Willmott Professor of management, University of London
Steve Keen Professor of economics, Kingston University LondonSteve Keen Professor of economics, Kingston University London
Susan Himmelweit Emeritus professor of economics, Open UniversitySusan Himmelweit Emeritus professor of economics, Open University
Gideon Calder Senior lecturer in public health, policy and social sciences, Swansea UniversityGideon Calder Senior lecturer in public health, policy and social sciences, Swansea University
Simon Mohun Emeritus professor of political economy, Queen Mary University of LondonSimon Mohun Emeritus professor of political economy, Queen Mary University of London
Klaus Nielsen Professor of institutional economics, Birkbeck University of LondonKlaus Nielsen Professor of institutional economics, Birkbeck University of London
Pritam Singh Professor of economics, Oxford Brookes Business SchoolPritam Singh Professor of economics, Oxford Brookes Business School
Matthew Watson Professor of political economy, University of WarwickMatthew Watson Professor of political economy, University of Warwick
Mary V Wrenn Professor, UWE BristolMary V Wrenn Professor, UWE Bristol
Geoffrey Hodgson Research professor of business studies, University of HertfordshireGeoffrey Hodgson Research professor of business studies, University of Hertfordshire
Daniela Gabor Professor of economics and macro-finance, UWE BristolDaniela Gabor Professor of economics and macro-finance, UWE Bristol
Gary Dymski Professor of applied economics, Leeds University Business SchoolGary Dymski Professor of applied economics, Leeds University Business School
Tony Thirlwall Professor of applied economics, University of KentTony Thirlwall Professor of applied economics, University of Kent
Kalim Siddiqui Senior lecturer, University of HuddersfieldKalim Siddiqui Senior lecturer, University of Huddersfield
Stuart Holland Economist, University of CoimbraStuart Holland Economist, University of Coimbra
David Bailey Professor of industrial strategy, Aston Business SchoolDavid Bailey Professor of industrial strategy, Aston Business School
Roberto Veneziani School of Economics and Finance, Queen Mary University of LondonRoberto Veneziani School of Economics and Finance, Queen Mary University of London
Neil Lancastle Director of Finance and Banking Research Centre, De Montfort UniversityNeil Lancastle Director of Finance and Banking Research Centre, De Montfort University
Michael Lipton Research professor of economics, University of SussexMichael Lipton Research professor of economics, University of Sussex
Marjorie Mayo Emeritus professor of community development, GoldsmithsMarjorie Mayo Emeritus professor of community development, Goldsmiths
Andrew Simms Fellow, New Economics FoundationAndrew Simms Fellow, New Economics Foundation
Leslie Huckfield Academic and activist, Yunus Centre for Social Business and HealthLeslie Huckfield Academic and activist, Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health
Hugo Radice Economist, University of LeedsHugo Radice Economist, University of Leeds
Satoshi Miyamura Senior lecturer, SoasSatoshi Miyamura Senior lecturer, Soas
Sue Konzelmann Director of the London Centre for Corporate Governance and Ethics, Birkbeck University of LondonSue Konzelmann Director of the London Centre for Corporate Governance and Ethics, Birkbeck University of London
Bruce Conin Professor of economic sociology, University of GreenwichBruce Conin Professor of economic sociology, University of Greenwich
David Hall Professor, public services international research unit, University of GreenwichDavid Hall Professor, public services international research unit, University of Greenwich
Jonathan Perraton Senior lecturer in economics, University of SheffieldJonathan Perraton Senior lecturer in economics, University of Sheffield
Teddy Brett Professor of international development, LSETeddy Brett Professor of international development, LSE
Robert Calvert Jump Lecturer, UWE BristolRobert Calvert Jump Lecturer, UWE Bristol
Jeff Powell Senior lecturer in economics, University of GreenwichJeff Powell Senior lecturer in economics, University of Greenwich
Kat Chzhen Academic, co-editor of Children of AusterityKat Chzhen Academic, co-editor of Children of Austerity
Dominic Harrison Visiting professor of public health, University of Central LancashireDominic Harrison Visiting professor of public health, University of Central Lancashire
Lisa McKenzie Lecturer in sociological practice, Middlesex UniversityLisa McKenzie Lecturer in sociological practice, Middlesex University
Satbir Singh Chief executive, Joint Council for the Welfare of ImmigrantsSatbir Singh Chief executive, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
Costas Lapavitsas Professor, SoasCostas Lapavitsas Professor, Soas
Engelbert Stockhammer Professor, Kingston University LondonEngelbert Stockhammer Professor, Kingston University London
Annette Hastings Professor of urban studies, University of GlasgowAnnette Hastings Professor of urban studies, University of Glasgow
Ruth Lupton Professor of education, University of ManchesterRuth Lupton Professor of education, University of Manchester
Kitty Stewart Associate professor of social policy, LSEKitty Stewart Associate professor of social policy, LSE
Canon Giles Fraser Parish priest, St Mary’s NewingtonCanon Giles Fraser Parish priest, St Mary’s Newington
Anna Minton Programme leader MRes architecture: Reading the Neoliberal City, University of East LondonAnna Minton Programme leader MRes architecture: Reading the Neoliberal City, University of East London
Sam Friedman Associate professor of sociology, LSESam Friedman Associate professor of sociology, LSE
Pilgrim Tucker Community organiser, Grenfell Action GroupPilgrim Tucker Community organiser, Grenfell Action Group
Canon Steve Saxby Chair, Unite Faith WorkersCanon Steve Saxby Chair, Unite Faith Workers
Paul Parker Recording clerk, Quakers in BritainPaul Parker Recording clerk, Quakers in Britain
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Public sector cutsPublic sector cuts
Budget 2017 (November)Budget 2017 (November)
AusterityAusterity
Public services policyPublic services policy
Public financePublic finance
EconomicsEconomics
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