It’s time for the government to wake up and smell the coffee. Women have had enough of being attacked by a cabinet of millionaires. But there is a refuge from the cuts. Join us on Saturday 8 December to transform the tax dodger Starbucks into services women depend on, such as refuges and crèches. Check the UK Uncut actions page to find an action near you. If there isn’t one, they’ve got a step-by-step guide on how you can organise one yourself.
On 5 December the Chancellor, George Osborne, will deliver his autumn statement, with even further spending cuts expected to be announced. Women are bearing the brunt of the cuts – particularly low paid women and their families. The government’s savage austerity plans are pushing the cause of women’s equality back decades as benefits, healthcare, Sure Start centres, childcare, rape and domestic abuse services are cut and female unemployment soars.
If the government took strong action to stop tax dodging by companies like Starbucks- who haven’t paid any income tax for the last three years- we could easily afford to prevent the £5.6m being cut from violence against women services, the 25% cut to funding for Sure Start centres and the further £10 billion benefit cuts.
Domestic violence increases at Christmas and during times of economic hardship. 230 women are turned away from refuges every day as a result of the government’s cuts to women’s services. Enough is enough.
Is your local rape crisis centre being closed? Then why not turn your local Starbucks into a refuge? Bring your kids, because 50% of people living in refuges are children. Housing benefit cut? Bring your sleeping bags. Are you working less hours because subsidised childcare is a thing of the past? You could set up a Starbucks crèche.
Check the actions page to find an action near you. If there isn’t one, we’ve got a step-by-step guide on how you can organise one yourself. UK Uncut actions are creative and fun. If anyone is nervous or has any questions, please get in touch by emailing ukuncut@gmail.com – we want as many women, men and children out as possible to show that we refuse to lose these services.
Bring your own coffee… see you on the high streets!
