Britain’s public services – education, healthcare, local government, mail, and transport – are all suffering from chronic neglect and underinvestment. The North West ranks as the second most deprived area in the country. In Manchester, a high of 41% of neighbourhoods are classed as deprived whilst Barrow, host to BAE Systems’ nuclear submarine programme, has a considerable concentration of unemployment and high rates of child poverty.
Massive public investment is needed to rebuild the social and economic fabric of working-class communities. Yet amidst intensifying global conflict, escalating climate crisis and soaring inequality – with the decision to dramatically increase defence spending in its 2024 Strategic Defence Review, the Labour government committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. At the same time, it decided to cut spending on education.
And now, under political pressure from Trump, as Starmer moves the country towards actual ‘war-fighting readiness’, the military spend is expected to ratchet up to 5 per cent of GDP. And now, Starmer’s approach towards militarisation is reaching out into wider society and schools.
Join us to discuss what are the costs and consequences of increasing military spending and how do we stop the race to war.
With guest speakers Kate Hudson, Vice President of CND, and Alex Gordon, National Officer of Stop the War Coalition and formerly President of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, plus contributions from peace campaigners in Germany and Belgium, followed by interactive panel sessions.
There will be refreshments.
For any queries please contact 07840 303539 or email gmdcnd@gn.apc.org
Cross Street
Manchester
M2 1NL