IN the run up to William Green's Sign of the Times piece in last week's Journal, I was asked if I thought there was a 1930s feel about the economic and social experience in the region. It doesn’t quite feel like Grapes of Wrath territory, but there certainly is a growing sense of anxiety.
There is a social as well as economic challenge facing all leaders in the region. It is important to seek to avoid the constant battering ram of bad news where we can – although to suggest we are able to overcome the dire consequences of economic downturn and political negligence by somehow adopting a mythical British “stiff-upper-lip”, can-do attitude, is an insulting denial of the reality for increasing volumes of families and communities.
It is not easy to find good news. Last week’s unemployment figures and the analysis behind them were additional confirmation that things are going to get worse before they get better. The fact is that private sector growth is relatively stagnant while job losses (public and private sector) are likely to accelerate.
On top of that there is the unsurprising, yet shocking, revelation that poverty is on the increase again - whether that’s child poverty or fuel poverty. There’s also the news that rental costs are now averaging more than 35% of income in a growing number of households as rent is increasing while wages are flat-lining.
More and more there is evidence that it is the most vulnerable that are paying the biggest price – those on fixed income, benefits and living in rented accommodation. Those most vulnerable are also, often, the least able to fight back, to make a stand and protest against the decisions that are causing so much harm. This coming Saturday, however, the “hardest hit” are saying it’s time to stop the rot. People with disabilities are protesting throughout the country at the fact that they are bearing an unfair burden of the austerity measures of this government.
It is time for leadership, leadership that recognises the need to change direction.
:: Kevin Rowan, regional secretary, Northern TUC.
