>X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified) >New Worker Online Digest > >Week commencing 11th February, 2000. > >1) Editorial - Cold charity. > >2) Lead story - Privatisation menaces 40% of schools. > >3) Feature article - Rural young face low pay and prospects. > >4) International story - South Lebanon ablaze. > >5) British news item - Irish peace hangs in the balance. > > >1) Editorial > >Cold charity. > >CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown has come up with another idea to make the >government look as if it's doing something for us when it is merely doing >another favour for the rich. That's about the measure of his budget >proposal to give better and simpler-to-use tax breaks to those donating >money or shares to charity. > > As with most Blairite schemes it is couched in the most sanctimonious >language: a new "age of giving", a "new civic patriotism", a "decade of >giving" and so on. It is meant to sound so caring and compassionate. > > The Treasury estimate the measure will provide charities with an extra £l >billion by 2002 and will redress the fall in charitable donations. > > But behind the pious talk is the government's determination to stick to >the former Tory government's income tax and public spending levels. Instead >of raising taxes on the rich the government is encouraging the voluntaty >sector to do more in alleviating the worst problems caused by state >underfunding of public services, while just a bit of extra cash comes from >the government to fund the tax relief scheme. > > For the wealthy minority it signals the continuation of the >low-taxes-for-the-rich policy that has lasted since Thatcher came to office >in 1979. And while some more money may be raised for charities, this is a >voluntary option that will never match the sums which a policy of >progressive taxation could raise. > > For the majority of people it signals something else -- a continuation of >underfunding by the government of all those services and facilities which >have been slashed, and even destroyed completely, over the past two decades >and it indicates that all we're going to get is piecemeal handouts from the >voluntary sector. > > Above all it elevates cold-handed charity above the need to defend a >decent social wage. It ignores the fact that all the wealth there is in the >world has been created by the hands and brains of worldng people. Then it >offers workers some tiny pittance of alms out of the wealth the idle rich >have taken away for themselves. > > There is nothing caring or compassionate about ring-fencing the vast >fortunes of the very rich by forcing the least well-off, the sick and the >old to appeal for help to charities. > > It is scandalous that so much medical research needs to be supported by >good-hearted people rattling tins in our High Streets. And it is shameful >that a prosperous country in the 21st century should be trying to expand >its voluntary sector and preaching about the vi rtues of "giving" in order >to provide the necessities of life for its citizens. > > Most of us are giving all the time -- giving ourtime, our energy, our >skills. More and more workers are being badgered into working long hours >and are suffering increasing levels of stress. The gains from all this, >together with the gains from new technology, are making fortunes for the >bosses and the rest of the parasitic leisured class which rakes in the >super profits. > > It is often argued that the country can't afford decent pensions, a decent >health service, adequately maintained and resourced schools, the range of >local services we had just a few decades ago. This is what the ruling >capitalist class would like us to believe. > > It is false on two counts. Firstly that the wealth of this country is >notjust the money in the Chancellor's pockets. Most of the wealth of >Britain lies out of sight in private pockets, bank accounts, share >certificates, bonds, offshore tax havens and property. The lion's share of >this wealth is in a very few hands and the gap between the richest and the >poorest is growing wider all the time. In a capitalist society like >Britain, income tax is the only way this wealth can be reached and social >provision funded. > > Secondly, even the revenue that is in the Chancellor's pocket gets wasted >on anti-working class projects such as Trident nuclear weapons and costly >wars against workers in other countries. And yet, like the rich, these >things are ring-fenced by every government and the costs hardly ever >mentioned or questioned. > > Mr Brown, we don't want your alms, we want an end to your arms. We want a >reformed taxation system not a bigger begging bowl and we certainly don't >want any pious lectures about "giving" -- we've already been bled enough! > > ************************** > >2) Lead story > >Privatisation menaces 40% of schools. > >by Daphne Liddle > >THE GOVERNMENT last week drew up plans to sell off the work of three >Labour-controlled local education authorities which were deemed to have >been failing. > > And in the same week, Chris Woodhead, the controversial chief inspector of >the Government's education watchdog Ofsted, condemned 23 out of 59 LEAs as >failing in their duties -- indicating that the Government intends to step >up the process of privatising the administration of education in England >and Wales. > > Another 92 LEAs are yet to be inspected but many of these are expected to >"fail". > > Woodhead said that the 23 were found to be wasting public money and making >it harder for schools to raise standards. > > And he had particularly harsh words for the three that are to be sold off >now: Leeds, Rotherham and Sheffield. Sheffield is the constituency of >Education Secretary David Blunkett. > > Schools minister Estelle Morris announced a big drive to recruit more >(management) consultants to help with the expected increase in >"interventions" (sell offs). > > The three Yorkshire LEAs now being put into the private sector will have >outside consultants appointed to them and some functions will be privatised >though Ms Morris called it "outsourcing". > > Another three LEAs, Liverpool, Hackney and Islington, have already been >sold off. > > The list of complaints against the failing LEAs is predictable: >councillors competing for funds for schools in their own wards, poor repair >of buildings to the point where teaching is impaired and so on. > > There obviously has been some bad management of resources but it is even >plainer that the local authorities are battling against ever dwindling >budgets. > > Cuts to education budgets have been going on now for two decades and it is >this which lies at the root of the LEA's problems. > > Meanwhile the schools and LEAs have faced ever increasing demands with the >introduction of the national curriculum, continual changes to if sats >tests, Ofsted inspections and exam league tables. > > It is no wonder that morale is low in some LEAs. > > But it is amazing that anyone should think that people from the business >sector who have no experience or undestanding of education should be able >to improve things when those who have worked in education for years cannot. > > It is almost like sacking bus drivers because they can't make their >vehicles go properly without petrol and imagining that bringing in >newsagents will be able to do the trick. > > But that of course is looking at it from the point of view of pupils and >parents. The business sector looks at it from only one point of view -- is >there a profit to be made? And if there is, they will be very efficient at >doing that and in their terms it will be a success. > > Chris Woodhead gave a clue as to where the would-be profit makers are >really setting their sights when he warned that many middle class schools >are "coasting". > > He accused teachers of complacency and failing children in middle class >schools, despite apparently good exam results. > > He said the "hidden crisis in the leafy suburbs" will be revealed soon. > > David Blunkett is now to make it easier for schools to fail -- and so >become eligible for throwing to the private sector -- by introducing a new >category of inspections for those that are apparently doing well. > > From now on, schools deemed not to be pushing their pupils hard enough >will be marked as "under-achieving". > > There will also be refresher courses for teachers thought to be stuck in >their ways, which heads will be able to use as part of an "MoT" for >teachers half way through their careers. > > Teaching unions hotly denied complacency among teachers. National Union of >Teachers general secretary Doug McAvoy said: "One reason they don't trust >the Government is because it has failed to have a programme of professional >development as of right. Instead it targets individual teachers for the >purposes of spin rather than real educational development." > > ********************* > > >3) Feature article > >Rural young face low pay and prospects. > >by Caroline Colebrook > >WAGES for young people living in rural areas are significantly lower than >for their counterparts in towns and their long-term career prospects are >dismal, according to two reports published last Monday. > > The Joseph Rowntree Foundation surveyed more than 1,000 people between 18 >and 25 and round that while young people in rural areas are less likely to >suffer long-term unemployment, they tend to be more socially excluded and >have fewer opportunities for training. > > And a survey conducted by Glasgow and Edinburgh universities round that >rural employers have less knowledge about training and are reluctant to >take on employees who have long or complex journeys to work. > > The sort of work on offer is more likely to be very low paid, >unsatisfying, seasonal or part-time. > > There are few chances for young people to develop a career or realise >their potential. > > Even those employers who are aware of Government training schemes give >reasons for not getting involved. > > Young women find it easier to get settled work but this is often in >tourism and service industries. > > Most rural employers do not employ a large workforce and many rely heavily >on seasonal workers. > > Few young people find seasonal or part-time work a stepping stone to a >proper full-time job. > > The costs and scarcity of public transport are a barrier to many young >people finding work. > > Fred Cartmel, author of the report, carried out research in four types of >rural community in Scotland. > > He said: "It may be lovely waking up to look at a beautiful view but the >quality oflife is only better in rural areas if you are well off. If you >haven't got the money, you are farther from shops, facilities and >opportunities. > > "Mr Blair is saying that rural areas are all the same. He's not taken on >board that, as we have shown from the four rural areas in our study, they >are very different." > > The research also showed that housing was a major problem and that the >fact that many young people remain in their parental home well into their >adulthood, disguised levels of poverty. > > Co-author Stephen Pavis said: "The lack of diversity in the rural labour >market was a major issue for young people. > > "Those who lacked qualifications found themselves trapped in poorly-paid, >low quality employment. Simply getting a job was not enough to avoid being >socially excluded. > > "Low incomes meant owner occupation was beyond their reach and they were >not judged a high enough priority for the public sector housing available." > > Another report from the New Policy Institute found that one in ten rural >people live below the poverty line and that low incomes can mean the >experience of poverty in rural areas is worse than in cities. > > Living among comparatively wealthy people who can afford to choose to live >in the countryside, means there are far fewer facilities for the rural poor. > > Again, the low level of public transport makes for a dismal quality of life. > > ************************* > >4) International story > >South Lebanon ablaze. > >by Our Middle East Affairs correspondent > >LEBANESE resistance forces are continuing to attack Israeli and puppet >troop positions in the occupied south despite daily Israeli air-raids >across the entire south of the country. > > Two Israeli soldiers have been killed and a number of Israelis and "South >Lebanese Army" auxiliaries wounded by the guerrillas this week. Israeli >warplanes are continuing to bomb villages they claim are guerrilla bases >and others hit power stations right across Lebanon, cutting off the power >to the Lebanese capital for a time. > > Lebanese Hezbullah (Party of God) guerrillas vowed on Tuesday to keep >hitting Israeli soldiers occupying southern Lebanon, undeterred by Israeli >attacks that destroyed three Lebanese power stations. > > "Last night's Zionist aggression will not protect troops of the occupation >in the occupied zone...the occupation soldiers will remain steady targets >for the bombs, rockets and ambushes of our fighters," a Hezbullah statement >said. > > "We reserve the right to respond in the appropriate time which might be >very soon. The enemy will not be able to impose a new formula in the >confrontation field," Hezbullah said referring to Israel's attempts to >deter attacks on its soldiers by hitting the Lebanese economy. > > Northern Israel is under a state of emergency and the settlers are taking >cover in their shelters fearful of Hezbullah rocket attacks while others >have left for safety in central Israel. > > Lebanese Electricity Minister Sleiman Trabousli said after touring the >wreckage of the Jumhour power station on the outskirts of Beirut -- the >third time it has been raided by Israel since 1996 -- that all three >stations bombed in the midnight assault had been destroyed. > > "Rationing will be harsh," Traboulsi told a Lebanese public that had >suffered through last summer with severe power shortages following an >Israeli onslaught in June. It will be a blow to an economy already in >recession. But it will do nothing to quell the rising temper amongst the >south Lebanese Arabs who want the Israelis out, and want them out now. > > In his rage Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak -- the man who won last >year's election pledging to pull the troops out of Lebanon by this summer >and sign peace treaties with Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians by the end >of the year -- has reverted to the old Israeli policy of brute force. > > Tel Aviv admits that no progress has been made on the Syrian or the >Palestinian tracks. The Syrian talks are stalled and the Palestinians are >still trying to get the Israelis to honour their last interim withdrawal, >now months overdue. > > Barak blames the Syrians but it's the stubborn refusal of his Labour-led >government to accept that peace can only come with a total withdrawal from >all the occupied territories that has led to the deadlock and the current >bloodshed in Lebanon. > > This was recognised by the European Union's peace envoy, Miguel Angel >Moratinos, who told the press on Monday that peace in the Middle East is >not attainable unless Israel totally withdraws from Syria's Golan Heights. > > He could have added that this goes for south Lebanon; the West Bank and >the Gaza Strip as well. But at the moment the focus is on Lebanon. The >Israeli government is still saying it intends to withdraw from southern >Lebanon in the summer -- with or without an agreement. The Lebanese >resistance have said they will fight on until that day comes and Hezbullah >seem determined to see Barak quit the south with his tail between his legs. > > ********************* > >5) British news item > >Irish peace hangs in the balance. > >by Steve Lawton > >YEARS of hard and painful political graft fashioning the Irish peace >process, are now under serious threat as the Northern Ireland Assembly is >held to ransom over the IRA's so-called failure to begin decommissioning >weapons. > > If a solution to this crisis isn't found by today, the Northern Ireland >Bill is expected to come into force suspending the Northern Ireland >Legislative Assembly institutions. Westminster thereby re-imposes direct rule. > > The Ulster Unionist Party's (UUP) demand that the IRA begin to disarm, >imposing a timetable in breach of the Good Friday Agreement that coincides >with the UUP's council meeting tomorrow, excludes the overwhelming military >power of the occupying British troops, the RUC and Loyalist organisations. > > Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, wherever he has been speaking over recent >days -- on Ulster Radio and TV and on the BBC's Newsnight programme -- he >has given a very pointed and stark message for the immediate future. > > Despite two statements by the IRA over the last fortnight to categorically >reiterate its defence of the peace process, and the clear reaffirmation of >maintaining the ceasefire with silent guns remaining silent Unionists are >set on pushing Sinn Fein a step too far. Yet another statement is being >demanded. > > On BBC Radio Ulster last Tuesday he said that the present crisis "has to >be resolved definitely and conclusively." Sinn Fein has, he said, "honoured >[its] commitments under the [Good Friday] Agreement. > > "We have gone much further than that and there is a collective >responsibility in all of this, for all of the parties and the [British and >Irish] governments to sort it out." > > This would prevent a crisis, he said, but "if the institutions are >collapsed, if we go into review, then this party and this party leader is >going to sit back and reflect in a very contemplative way what role I have >to play as a messenger who continuously gets shot." > > The Continuity IRA-claimed bombing of Mahon's Hotel, Irvinestown, County >Fermanagh last Sunday, provided an ill-timed weapon for anti-Agreement >unionists to stoke up anti-Republican sentiment. > > There is an unfortunate coincidence of anti-Agreement unionists, >disaffected elements like Continuity IRA, combined with the actions of the >British government in failing, yet again, to contain the destabilising >strategy of hardline unionism that is pushing the peace process over the edge. > > It remains to be seen whether there is an eleventh hour solution defining >the IRA within the overall requirement of demilitarisation, beginning >particularly with a British military scaling down. Normalisation cannot >otherwise proceed. > > It would be a dire irony to think that the current first Bill going >through the Assembly on disability should abruptly end with the real danger >of a return to open conflict. > > Sinn Fein has a democratic mandate under the terms of the Good Friday >Agreement which the referendum endorsed by over 70 per cent in a >cross-community vote -- and it has adhered to it. > > The effect of taking away that absolutely legitimately attained starting >block for Ireland's tomorrow, bringing both communities together, will be >measured in a horrendous cost of lives yet known. > ********************* > > >New Communist Party of Britain Homepage > >http://www.newcommunistparty.org.uk > >A news service for the Working Class! > >Workers of all countries Unite! __________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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