All Together for the NHS: The Farm adds their support to TUC Manchester rally

date: 12 September 2013

embargo: 00:01 hours Friday 13 September 2013

Liverpool band, The Farm, will be supporting the TUC's march and rally in Manchester on Sunday 29 September against NHS cuts and privatisation.

The event, compered by Manchester musician and journalist, John Robb, takes place on the first day of the Conservative Party Conference, and has been organised to give supporters of the NHS and those who say no to the government's austerity plan, the chance to deliver that message loud and clear to politicians.

The protest will highlight the impact of huge job losses and spending across the health service, as well as the rapid sell-off of the most lucrative parts of the NHS to private healthcare companies, many of whom are also Conservative Party donors.

Lead singer of The Farm Peter Hooton said: 'There are some things in life worth fighting for and we believe the NHS is one of them. One of our members, Steve Grimes, is still alive today thanks to the wonderful care he received after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

'Nye Bevan said the NHS would last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it. The Farm, like many others, have that faith. Patients before profit.'

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'This September's march and rally will allow thousands of ordinary people to show the government exactly what they think of their policies.

'Austerity is having a devastating effect on our communities and services, with 21,000 NHS jobs lost over the last three months alone. The NHS is one of Britain's finest achievements and we will not allow ministers to destroy, through cuts and privatisation, what has taken generations to build.'

TUC North West Regional Secretary Lynn Collins, who has organised the event in conjunction with the unions said: 'Our NHS is under attack and we want to send the strongest message to the Conservatives that we will not stand by and let them sell-off our national treasure.

'But it's not just our health service under attack. Workers in the North West and beyond have had enough of a government that cuts and cuts - whether it be jobs, services or wages. That's why we are taking to the streets on 29 September.'

Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the march and rally which starts on Liverpool Road at 11am.

As well as The Farm, there will be other musical guests, including The Stalybridge Old Band and John Lennon McCullagh (who is signed to Creation boss Alan McGee's new label, 359) and speeches from public sector workers, union leaders and shadow health minister Andy Burnham MP.

Events on Sunday 29 September

11am Liverpool Road (M3 4FP) assemble for march

TBC March passes Manchester Central Convention Complex

TBC March continues down Oxford Road

2pm Rally at Whitworth Park with The Farm, Stalybridge Brass Band, John Robb and Andy Burnham MP.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC's campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Stephanie Power T: 07793 459035 E: Stephanie@powerproductions.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk