As the vote for Scottish independence approaches the debate is shifting to how best to protect the future of the NHS. Scottish nationalists claim creeping privatisation is rapidly eroding the very principle of free medical care on demand and say the future of the NHS is not safe with Westminster.
Last week many of our council and teaching staff took park in national strike action against the pay freezes imposed by the government. I supported them in that action. Low pay is driving more and more people into financial distress. It may surprise readers to know the majority of those in receipt of benefits are now from working families due to low wages, part-time working and rising living standards. Everybody deserves a decent wage. I was proud that Tower Hamlets was one of the first London councils to introduce the London Living Wage, some five years ago, to support some of our lowest paid staff.
I am very humbled to be writing this column as the newly elected Mayor of Tower Hamlets.
In the national context, Tower Hamlets Budget might be a small issue, but locally it means a lot to our residents. It is certainly too important to play petty politics with.
I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you and your families the very best in 2014.
I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you and your families the very best in 2014.
The Mayoral and local council elections are approaching, so I rather expect that some of the claims from my opponents are going to become, how should we say, more ‘‘robust’’.
The Mayoral and local council elections are approaching, so I rather expect that some of the claims from my opponents are going to become, how should we say, more ‘‘robust’’.
Poplar Baths – one of the most iconic and much loved buildings in the East End – was opened in 1852 to provide wash facilities for the poor of our borough.
Poplar Baths – one of the most iconic and much loved buildings in the East End – was opened in 1852 to provide wash facilities for the poor of our borough.
