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New documentary charts the struggle to defend the welfare state
GLYN ROBBINS is impressed by a film about the campaigns to protect the social benefits won over decades
RESILIENCE AND EXPERIENCE: Merseyside Pensioners Association campaigning in support of striking McDonalds staff and encouraging all young workers to ‘join a union’ [Phil Maxwell Photos]

PENSIONERS UNITED opens with Tony Benn describing the NHS as “pure socialism.” This marks the fundamental theme of Hazuan Hashim and Phil Maxwell’s 90-minute documentary.  

Using extensive footage and interviews with grassroots campaigners, the film argues that we’re in a critical fight to defend the post-war welfare state.  

The fact that most of the people making that argument are old enough to have seen dramatic changes in our society only adds weight.

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