Delegates at the Labour Party conference have today backed a motion calling for a wealth tax on the richest to raise money for public services.
The motion, submitted by the FBU, CWU, TSSA and Unite the Union, calls on the government to reverse austerity, commit to progressive taxation, and increase public investment.
This includes a demand to rebuild the fire and rescue service with an immediate increase of 5,000 firefighters, with a review to examine further expansion, and sustained improvements to firefighter pay.
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said:
Workers in Britain are paying the price for a broken economic model. While millions suffer with the soaring cost of living and shrinking wages, the ultra-rich continue to reap the benefits of a rigged system that rewards wealth - not work.
Meanwhile, public services are on the brink of collapse without the investment desperately needed after fifteen years of austerity.
The fire and rescue service is in a state of emergency, with the loss of 1 in 5 firefighters to cuts since 2010. We need an immediate increase of 5,000 firefighters to begin addressing this crisis in public safety.
The government must act decisively by introducing a progressive wealth tax to rebuild public services, create jobs, and support struggling households."
