More on this as the day progresses but this announcement comes from The Guardian.
Today a major new political initiative will be launched. The People’s Charter for Change is a set of six policy priorities we believe will resonate among millions of people who face the harsh realities of the present economic crisis, and which will help build a popular movement to support the new agenda. The charter calls for a new model for our finance industry, with priority given to more investment for new jobs and green technology, and protecting the existing jobs of ordinary working people; an end to the half-baked privatisations like that proposed for the Royal Mail, and for previously publicly owned companies to be taken back into public ownership.
The charter calls for a massive building programme of new affordable social housing to deal with the chronic housing crisis that affects almost every town and village, and sets out a radical agenda to end the waste of lives and billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on wars and weapons.
Finally, it recognises that there will be no economic justice without social justice, with a demand for fairness and equality for all our citizens – equal pay for women and an end to racist scapegoating; an end to City super-bonuses; and the payment of proper pensions. The charter sets out an alternative vision for our young citizens, with free childcare for all, better youth facilities and free education at all levels.
It is because the charter sets out such a clear alternative vision that offers hope rather than the failed financial policies of recent decades that we support this new initiative.
This is the text of the charter
A fair economy for a fairer Britain Take the leading banking, insurance and mortgage industries fully into democratic public ownership run for the benefit of all. Regain control of the Bank of England and keep interest rates low. Tightly regulate the City markets to facilitate lending and to stop speculation and takeovers against the public interest. Ban hedge funds, raids on pension funds, asset-stripping and corporate tax loopholes. Restructure the tax system so big business and the wealthy pay more and ordinary people pay less.
More and better jobs Existing jobs must be protected. Public and private investment must create new jobs paying decent money. In particular in manufacturing, construction and green technology. More jobs mean more spending power to stimulate the economy, increased tax revenue and fewer people on benefit. Build full employment. Reduce hours, not pay, to create more jobs. Raise the minimum wage to half national median earnings and end the lower rate for young workers.
Decent homes for all Stop the repossessions and keep people in their homes. Offer ‘no interest’ loans. Control rents. We need 3 million new homes. Give local government the power and money to build and renovate affordable quality homes and buy empty ones, ending the housing shortage, and creating jobs.
Protect and improve our public services – no cuts Save public money: bring energy, transport, water, post and telecommunications back and keep post in public ownership. End corporate profiteering in health, education, social and other public services. Stop the EU privatisation Directives.
Fairness and Justice Free heating and transport for every pensioner. Link state pensions and benefits to average earnings. Protect pension schemes and restore the lost value of private pensions. End child poverty by increasing child benefits and tax credits and providing free nurseries and crèches. Enforce equal pay for women. End racism and discrimination in all its forms. No scape-goating of migrant workers. Invest in young people and give them a real stake in the future. Provide youth, community, arts and cultural centres, sports facilities, and clubs for all. Guarantee training, apprenticeships and education with grants for everyone and no fees. Restore union rights to allow them the freedom to fight the crisis and to protect workers.
Build a secure and sustainable future for all End the cost of war in blood and money. Bring our troops home. Don’t waste £billions on a new generation of nuclear weapons. And beyond the current economic disaster, climate change threatens us all. Our future must be based on massive investment for a greener, safer world now. Debt is crushing millions of people forcing them to move and producing war, famine and misery. Get rid of the debt economy in Britain and cancel the debts of the poor of the planet. A better future for all the people of the world.
Victoria Brittain,
Louise Christian,
Bob Crow
General secretary RMT,
Professor Mary Davis,
Professor Keith Ewing,
Suresh Grover,
John Hendy QC,
Imran Khan,
Jonathan Ledger
General secretary, Napo,
Mike Mansfield QC,
John McDonnell MP,
Robert Monks
General secretary, URTU,
Keith Norman
General Secretary, Aslef,
Peter Tatchell,
Mark Serwotka
General secretary, PCS,
Matt Wrack
General secretary, FBU
An article by John McDonnell is here.
Liam redux 
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