Austerity isn't working

The last few years have seen a drastic erosion of living standards for ordinary families and working people in the UK. Households are being stretched to the limit by a perfect storm of a harsh economic climate, slashed support and rapidly diminishing services from the state.

During the summer the TUC and Britain's trade unions are travelling across the country with campaign buses letting people tell their stories, making videos, blogging events, and inviting journalists to report life on the front line of austerity Britain

On the 20^th and 21^st June the TUC Austerity Uncovered bus stopped at Carlisle, Newcastle, Sunderland and Stockton. TUC staff and campaigners spoke to people facing a variety of challenges, including the arbitrary bedroom tax, rising bills, pay freezes, pay cuts and the indignity of fitness-to-work tests.

Everyone who spoke to us felt they were being unfairly penalised by the government in one or more ways. There was a shared sense of disillusionment over the efficacy of austerity and the pain it has inflicted on ordinary people. Judging by the stories we heard time and again, it's not overly dramatic to say that there seems to be a pervasive lack of hope.

Sue from Carlisle told us that every day her confidence is eroded as her worries grow; she is not optimistic for her future. The instability and uncertainty linked to the rise of contracts with few or no guaranteed hours was also highlighted. One mother told us of her son, trying to work in construction, turning up every day for two weeks, only to be sent home a few hours later because there was no work for him - an incredible waste of time, his scarce travel money and utterly demoralising.

Locals in Southwick Green, Sunderland, told us of the growing homelessness issue, brought into sharp relief for residents by sad news of the death of a man in his 40s who was living in the nearby park having recently been made homeless.

One person whose story really stood out was 28 year old Adam. Adam has Asperger Syndrome and has been trying to find a job for the last two years. He has yet to get one interview, despite volunteering at a number of organisations to gain experience. Adam, like nearly a quarter of a million other young people in this country, is being denied the opportunity to build a career. However, he is determined to keep trying. Adam wants the government to know that people like him are not lazy, and that he is sick of the young being demonised as feckless and work shy.

Indisputable evidence shows that austerity is taking a heavy toll on the lives of people across the region. Unless policies change the economy will not grow, incomes will not rise and there will be few, if any new jobs. The prospect of a 'lost decade' is a genuine concern, but hopefully not a fait accompli; there most definitely is an alternative.

Beth Farhat

Regional Secretary

Northern TUC