Pledge support for the Poppy Appeal

THE Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal 2019 is now under way to raise funds to help look after the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served, or are still serving, in the Armed Forces.

As the mayor of Halton for 2019-20, I am appealing to everyone in the borough to support this vital campaign.

The Poppy Appeal provides the main source of funds to maintain the region’s many welfare and benefit schemes which help more than 300,000 people each year.

There are also many more members of the exservice community who need help, and the Legion is developing a new welfare programme to reach out to those people.

Therefore, each year, the need for people to support the Poppy Appeal is even greater.

Once again, the Legion is running its ‘Poppy People’ campaign to try and attract new volunteers, as many of those who traditionally give their services are becoming too elderly to continue.

Anyone over 16 years of age is eligible to help and they can do this by e-mailing volunteersupport@ britishlegion. org. uk

As ever, poppies will be on sale in Halton Borough Council buildings, and the council will support the Legion’s observation of two minutes’ silence on November 11 to honour those who have served their country.

Finally, I would ask everyone to wear their poppy with pride in 2019 and say thank you for contributing to the appeal. to new TUC analysis.

The analysis of official figures shows that real wages are still -3% below their 2008 level.

By contrast, weekly wages in the North West grew by £84 (+23%) between 1997 and 2008.

The TUC says the last decade has been the worst period for wage growth in more than 200 years.

Not since the beginning of the 18th century has it taken so long for real wages to recover from a slump.

Analysis published by the union federation in September revealed the impact of Britain’s ‘cost of living crisis’.

Unsecured household debt per household rose to £15,880 in the first quarter of 2019, up £1,160 on a year earlier.

Over half of households now report having unsecured debt, most commonly in the form of credit card debt (60%), overdraft (28%), personal loans (25%) and car finance (25%).

We need an economy that delivers for working families.

But pay packets are still worth less than a decade ago.

It’s not right that household debt is rising. And that kids in this region are growing up in poverty despite having parents in work.

The Government has failed to deal with Britain’s cost of living crisis.

The TUC is calling for:

New rights so that workers can access the protection of a union in every workplace, and protection when they use social media, so that nobody has to face their employer alone.

New rights for workers to bargain through their unions for fair pay and conditions across industries, ending the race to the bottom.

A £10 minimum wage as soon as possible.