Tony Dorrian Workers Party Representative is calling on the Executive to Ditch their Anti Poverty Strategy which is not Fit for Purpose.
Mr Dorrian said the document talks about building safe and strong communities with good physical infrastructure while at the same time ignoring the huge housing crisis that currently exists and their own failure to build even the modest amount of houses promised in previous consultation documents. They continue to ignore the fact that in a capitalist economy housing provision is based on profit taking not on desirable social outcomes. For landlords, construction companies and banks, a house is a commodity to be exchanged, but for the people who live in it a house is a home.
For the realisation of the APS outcomes where everyone has access to good quality affordable and sustainable housing, it would require a massive state building programme. The Workers Party has long argued for the setting up of a state construction company that would help meet housing demands in the public housing sector and would also provide well paid sustainable employment opportunities and apprenticeships for our young people. A genuine commitment to good quality affordable and sustainable housing is a radical system-challenging demand that needs to be met.
The Workers Party in our numerous responses to consultation documents has outlined the basis commitments needed to start the process of dealing with poverty. Building blocks needed as first steps, must include the following. The introduction of a proper living wage, an end to zero hours contracts, an end to precarious employment practices. The introduction of free and affordable childcare places to enable those living in poverty to have access to well-paid employment, especially single parents who are predominantly women from working class communities.
Bringing our utilities into public ownership would not only lower prices to consumers and help those most in need but it would also allow profits on energy to be reinvested in green sustainable energy sources and create jobs and a healthier environment in addition to boosting the local economy. This strategy is not fit for purpose and must be withdrawn. The Party’s full response can be viewed on our website workersparty.net.