March against the County cuts

Oxfordshire Green Party is supporting the March Against County Cuts organised by the Peoples Assembly, starting at 12.00 noon Manzil Way, Oxford on Saturday 15th February.

Councillor David Williams, Leader of the Green Party group on Oxfordshire County Council said:

Oxfordshire County Council is implementing cuts which damage frontline services to the elderly, the vulnerable and the homeless. The Coalition Government is forcing through cuts which take no account of population increase, our ageing population or inflation. The Coalition is denying itself the opportunity to make use of a variety of tax options to protect essential local services. Options include raising:  cigarette and alcohol taxation; air passenger duty; the highest income tax rates. The Coalition could join the European effort to implement a Financial Transaction Tax and make a far bigger effort to close down tax havens on UK controlled territories. 

Ruth Brandt, a Green Party campaigner in Carfax ward in Oxford, said:

Our alternative budget for the County Council would help to protect critical areas of services to the most vulnerable. A modest increase of 4.5% in council tax, if supported by the public in a referendum, is all that is needed.