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The Morning Star 2026 Conference
Welfare cuts: an injury to one is an injury to all
With young people, the disabled and the elderly in Labour’s sights as ‘easy targets’ for cuts, the labour movement must remember it’s in the vital interests of us all to defend the groups being picked off, writes DIANE ABBOTT MP
PUTTING A GOOD FACE ON IT: Liz Kendall

THERE is already widespread revulsion at the ferocity of the recent welfare cuts. However, the government seems intent on pressing ahead with them. There is also a strong possibility they are just a down payment on further cuts to come in the Spring Statement.

It is in the vital interests of the labour movement as whole to resist these cuts. The poor, disabled people and the sick are part of the working class, even if all of them are not currently in work. Every imposition on them is a disgrace, and has the potential to affect everyone in work, or seeking work.

The furious response to their proposed welfare cuts seemed to come as a shock to this government. But what did they expect? Perhaps emboldened by his popularity rising off its lows over the Ukraine issue, Keir Starmer has made it clear that he intends to plough on with his cuts.

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