IN THIS ISSUE:

P08 WOMEN’S SECTION P13 LATEST LGBTI NEWS P17 BAME ISSUES P21 DISABILITY NEWS Mary Barbour, women around the Coming out in the 1990s, sport Bob Marley, migrants now and , benefit cuts win, globe and ‘Suffragette’ review diversity and gay-friendly retirement Paul Canoville on football racism high phone charges and motability

THE MAGAZINE OF THE CWU SPRING 2016 www.cwu.org

POWER TO THE PEOPLE... Individually we are weak, but united we are powerful and can change things for the better EDITOR’S COLUMN

ContactUs progress on the wider equalities WELCOME agenda in this country – and trade CWU unions have played a central role in The Communications Union DAVE WARD this. From things like paternity and 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, GENERAL SECRETARY London SW19 1RX anti-discrimination rights at work, to T: 020 8971 7200 am pleased to be writing a foreword gay marriage and action on racism in E: [email protected] W: www.cwu.org for a joint equalities magazine, the police, the labour movement has General Secretary Ibringing together a number of fought for positive social changes many DAVE WARD different CWU publications. of us didn’t think would be possible E: [email protected] @davewardGS You may have heard me talking just a few decades ago. Publications Editor about how we need to bring equality But no-one can think the job is Simon Alford issues into the mainstream of our finished – and the misogyny we see E: [email protected] aimed at women on social media, Consulting Editor union. Making sure that they get a PAUL DONOVAN wider audience and that we don’t see the demonisation of disabled people BT Pensioner Helpline them as being relevant to just one by a government intent on removing T: 0800 731 1919 the state and the rhetoric Accenture BT Pension group is a central part of this. Central Indeed, this is a fundamental about refugees and migrants in the T: 0800 731 1919 principle of trade unionism. The EU debate are all worrying signs that BT Benevolent Fund T: 0845 602 9714 strength of a union has always been in things are moving backwards. Royal Mail Pensioner people standing together to exercise So when I talk about putting Helpline T: 0845 603 0043 a collective voice and refuse equalities into the mainstream of the Royal Mail Pensions Centre to allow employers, or union, it is not just about us looking at T: 0800 731 1919 Rowland Hill Fund governments, to divide our own organisation – it is also about T: 0800 232 1762 and conquer. setting out this terrain for the whole of Support your magazine It is only because the CWU to be fighting on in the future. and send items for the of broad social next issue to: The Editor, SDGS Department, movements that 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, we have seen London SW19 1RX

LINDA ROY the CWU. Over 16,000 self-identify as Published on behalf of CWU HEAD OF EQUALITIES Century One Publishing Ltd. BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic). Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road There are many Disabled and LGBT St. Albans, Herts AL3 4DG T: 01727 893 894 I’m delighted to be writing to you in members too but recording this data F: 01727 893 895 what is the first edition of our new has not been a priority for the union in E: [email protected] W: www.centuryonepublishing.uk equality publication ‘The Word’. the past. This has now changed and it Senior Designer Equality is very important to the is important for our LGBT and Disabled Dan Angel CWU. If not now, at some stage in our members to self-identify within the Cover image lives, we all appreciate equality in the membership. ARTHIMEDES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM workplace. Whether you are attached It is important that as a union we Copyright Reproduction in whole or part by to one of the equality strands or not, are able to map our membership, so any means without written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. The publisher one thing is for sure, as we grow older we can respond to its ever changing accepts no responsibility for errors, omissions

or the IN THIS ISSUE:

P08 WOMEN’S SECTION more demands are placed on our demands and we need to reflect the P13 LATEST LGB Mary Barbour, women around the TI NEWS P17 BAME ISSUE Coming out in the 1990s, sport S P21 DISABILITY NE consequences globe and ‘Suffragette’ review Bob Marley, migrants now and WS diversity and gay-friendly retirement Bedroom tax, benefit cuts win, Paul Canoville on football racism thereof. The high phone charges and motability views and health. When working we need the people we serve. So ask yourself: “have THE MAGAZINE OF TH E CWU SPRING 2016 opinions WWW.CWU.OrG expressed in protection of the Equality Act and this you ever thought of joining the CWU THE WORD are not is where the union plays a key part. family?” We have fantastic educational necessarily those of the Our union is heading towards opportunities and won’t leave you up CWU, the RMAC or proportionality. This means related the creek without a paddle! the editorial team. in size, degree, or other measurable If you are interested POWER TO THE PEOPLE... Individually we are weak, but united we are © CWU 2016 powerful and can change things for the bette r characteristics. In the context of our please call the Equalities union, we are using proportionality to department on 020-8971 ensure that our structures reflect the 7356. members who we seek to represent. There are around 36,000 women in Linda Roy

02 SPRING 2016 THE WORD NEWS TO FIND OUT MORE AND GET INVOLVED contact [email protected]

Government Housing Justice loses bedroom tax A CWU housing activist “The cry to rally the case at Appeal Court asserts the need to mark neighbourhood found a past bombing tragedy voice; man, woman and in West Hendon, prior to child had one thought, building a community made one choice; their oriented future search through ruin CWU housing activist would not end, till Jasmin Parsons played a all held loved ones, leading role in ensuring neighbours and friends.” that there was a proper “The memorial is memorial established to significant in that it is mark the death of over an effort to hold onto The Government lost was brought by the 70 people when a bomb the legacy of the past, a legal challenge to the grandparents of a teenage was dropped on a raid on preserving not only bedroom tax, in January, boy, who suffers from West Hendon in World the memory of what brought by a domestic disability, caused by a War II. happened on that fateful abuse victim and the rare disorder. His appeal The 2,500 kilo bomb, day but also retaining the grandparents of a disabled centred on the spare room delivered on a cold old road names and past boy. The Court of Appeal used by overnight carers, February day in 1941, heritage amid efforts by ruled that the bedroom tax who stay at the three wiped out three streets, the council to gentrify unlawfully discriminated bedroom homes of his causing major damage to the area - reducing social against them on the grandparents. surrounding housing,” grounds of human rights. The grandparents houses said Jasmin, The challenge came saw their benefit reduced with more who from a reform introduced as a result of the changes. than 150 represented in 2013, which reduced The government rules casualties. the West benefits for individuals, if make an exemption for Some 1,500 Jasmin Parsons London they lived in overnight people were Estate a property carers of a made homeless. residents against Barnet that was k disabled Local people and Council and developers deemed to adult, but dignitaries gathered in Barratt. “The inquiry have more 660 not for those York Memorial Park on recognised that our rights bedrooms Hit by bedroom tax. Includes of a disabled 13 February 2016 to mark were being violated but than they 420,000 with disabilities child. the 75th anniversary of stated that in the interests required. The Court the tragedy and unveil a of the public good (who Both parties argued they ruled that in the case of the memorial plague. or where we were never should be exempt from the domestic abuse victim, the For Jasmin, the told) our rights could be rules. They claimed this government should have memorial to the ignored and our homes was discrimination under considered the effect of bomb victims is about taken from us. Article 14 of the European the new housing rules on re‑affirming community “The outcome was Convention on Human women in more detail and continuity and asserting that they were able to Rights. particularly those at risk links with the past which sell York Memorial Park One of the cases was of domestic violence. They should not be erased. for just £3 - worth at that brought by a single also said that it seemed That sentiment runs time between £12 and parent, who had suffered ‘very difficult’ to justify through a poem she £15 million - to allow the violence, rape and abuse. the different treatment wrote for the occasion: building of luxury units Her property had been of disabled children and ranging from £420,000 specially adapted to disabled adults in this case. to £622,000, replacing include a secure panic This victory provides the council homes room, but because of the a glimmer of hope for with a high rise ghetto changes, her benefit was thousands of people who which anyone can buy cut by 14%. have been hit by this cruel, 1500 with a £3,000 monthly people were made homeless The second case unfair tax. mortgage.”

THE WORD SPRING 2016 03 TO FIND OUT MORE AND GET INVOLVED contact [email protected] 20% increase in mental health deaths

Latest NHS figures show a 21% attractive (49%). rise in the number of deaths (1,412 Also in this same report 27% to 1,713) amongst mental health have cited homophobic bullying. patients over the past three years. 22% have mentioned struggling to The number killing themselves come out. Some 21% are worried or trying to do so has also about the rejection by friends or increased, by 26%, over the same family. period from 595 in 2012/13 to 701 The gay men, who have been in 2013/14. diagnosed with HIV, experience The LGBT community has been high rates of depression and hit disproportionately hard. suicidal thoughts. A recent survey by gay men’s This report also shows health charity GMFA found that that suicide is the more 24% of gay men admitted to trying common in men to kill themselves. under 35 within A further 70% said that low the UK. So this self-esteem was the main reason means that men for their depression and suicidal are three times thoughts. more likely Some other factors included to commit relationship issues (56%), being suicide than isolated (53%), or not feeling women. Northern Ireland remains opposed to equal marriage Northern Ireland remains the only Unionist Party. The petition enforces area of the UK not to legislate for the need for cross community support equal marriage. for a particular piece of legislation to go Civil partnerships are available in through. NI to same sex couples. With very few unionists voting for The devolved assembly at equal marriage the legislation could not Stormont has repeatedly refused to be passed legislate on this issue. Additionally, in January, a heterosexual The last time the couple lost their case in the High Court assembly debated that challenged the legal ban on straight equal marriage in people entering into civil partnerships. November 2015; a Some heterosexual couples reject the majority vote was institution of marriage as patriarchal finally achieved and plan to continue to pursue claims but blocked against the government for not allowing by use of the civil partnerships for straight couples controversial as they believe it continues to breach petition of their right to family life under European concern human rights law. The campaign has by the gained cross party support in the House Democratic of Commons. NEWS

‘Lady Phyll’ turns down Benjamin Zephaniah calls New Years honour for the working class Trade unionist, Phyll to unite against racism Opoku-Gyimah Poet Benjamin Zephaniah has told of his turned down a gong own experiences of racism in Birmingham in the New Year’s and East London honour’s list because of the “toxic Writing in , to try to turn the white and enduring Benjamin recalled how his working class against legacy” of first experience of racism BAME working class. He was when as an eight year calls for the whole class to colonialism old he was hit on the back unite against racism and of the head with a brick by bigotry. a boy on a cycle, who then “The biggest fear of shouted back: “Go home all of the mainstream Affectionately known as Lady Phyll, the head you black bastard.” politicians is that we all of political campaigns at PCS turned down an Benjamin learned kung reach a point where we MBE on the basis of the “many injustices” going fu and boxing in order to understand how much on across the world as a result of colonialism. be able to defend himself we have in common Lady Phyll is also co-founder of UK Black against further attacks. and, instead of turning Pride and has been recognised as one of More racist incidents on ourselves, we turn on Britain’s most influential LGBT activists. followed, them,” said “We all want to be acknowledged for the including The biggest fear Benjamin. things we’ve done that we are proud of. If you’re being driven of the mainstream “In poetry a member of a minority or multiple minorities, it’s from a politicians is that and prose important to be visible as a role model for others. youth club. I have said “An honour is a very public statement that the He then we all reach a point that unity establishment has decided that you, and what moved to where we understand is strength, you do, are valued by the wider society. You’ve east London, how much we have in and that we worked hard, and they’ve actually noticed.“ experiencing common should get She felt though that the honours title – how the to a point mentioning the empire – came into conflict with police used the sus laws. where we are not talking her need to “stand by my principles and values.” Another violent incident about black rights or “I don’t believe in empire. I don’t believe in happened when he was on white rights, Asian rights – and actively resist – colonialism and its toxic Stratford Broadway, now or rights for migrant and enduring legacy in the Commonwealth,” close to the Olympic park, workers; we are just said Lady Phyll. “Among many other injustices when a couple parted after talking about our rights. LGBTI people are still being persecuted, a passionate embrace. “As long as people tortured and even killed because of sodomy The woman was white of colour and minority laws, including in Ghana, where I am from, that the man black. White groups are seen as the were put in place by British imperialists.” racists suddenly appeared, other, as long as we are “So I’m honoured and grateful. Thank you beating the woman to the being blamed for all of but I have to say no thank you!” said Lady ground because of her society’s ills (including Phyll, who joins a long list of people who have love for a black man. too many cars on our turned down honours, including poet Benjamin Benjamin told how roads), we will keep trying Zephaniah, who in 2003 turned down an OBE. the BAME communities to get our politicians to “Up yours, I thought,” he wrote at the time. organised self defence be honest, and we will “I get angry when I hear that word ‘empire,’ groups and organisations continue to call on the it reminds me of slavery, it reminds me of like Red Action and the white working classes to thousands of years of brutality, it reminds Sari Squad developed. unite with us. But, if they me how my foremothers were raped and my Benjamin identified the don’t, we will still have to forefathers brutalised.” divide and rule tactics fight racists on the streets. used by the establishment This is personal.”

THE WORD SPRING 2016 05 PROPORTIONALITY Dave Ward calls for proportionality to drive union change agenda

eneral Secretary urgency of creating a more to volunteer to join the Dave Ward declared inclusive union, highlighting mentoring programme. Gthat “proportionality how 42.9% of the 194,212 “I’ll put myself forward must be put at the membership are over 50, as a mentor,” said Dave, centre of change” in the while just 9.6 % (17,097) are who committed to look union. Addressing the below 30. Membership at succession planning. Proportionality Forum at Some 19.4 per cent of the breakdown “How can we bring the next Congress House in February, memberships are women, generation of reps through?” Dave called for the union with 13.5% of reps being % The GS reiterated his call over the next two years female. Some 5.9% of reps 42.9 to bring equality into the to move to a place where come from BAME members. Are over 50 mainstream of the union. “I it reflects the ethnicity, Dave lamented how over % want to see us debate equality diversity and gender of the the last 12 months there in the whole union,” said membership. had been four major union 9.6 Dave, who stressed that in Under 30 The GS acknowledged elections, yet no woman had reconfiguring the CWU over that while most people in the stood. % the coming months he wants CWU get proportionality, He welcomed the progress 19.4 to see equality at the centre of there are some who don’t. there had been, with the Are women change. “The time has come for chairs of advisory committees Former Chelsea footballer the union to have an open now sitting on the NEC and Paul Canoville recalled the and honest discussion with closer co‑operation with the horrendous racist abuse he those who don’t. We need industrial parts of the union, had received from his own to be open to new ideas,” but said it was not enough. fans whilst warming up said Dave, who stressed the He challenged people to make his debut against

06 SPRING 2016 THE WORD NEWS FEATURE

BAME, women and youth I was warming up constituencies of the union. and there were the Mentors will have at least five heckles and racist chants years service, as well as wider from our own fans, labour movement experience I didn’t expect it and communication skills. There will be training provided for mentors. said Kate, who recalled how National Equalities m those providing domestic officer Linda Roy stressed violence support services are that “equality, diversity 600 and inclusivity” are key The cost for the turning people away due to under utilisation lack of funding. trade union values. Linda of women in the The shadow Women and recapped some of the workplace Equalities minister expressed recent achievements on the her astonishment with the proportionality agenda, government under-using noting that attendance at the women in the economy. “The last equality conferences had under-utilisation of women been up, with two held in in the workplace is costing midweek. £600 million,” said Kate, Linda highlighted the who contrasted the Tories importance of education attitude to equality with and training courses plus that of Jeremy Corbyn and mentoring in advancing the John McDonnell, who have inclusion agenda. “Making Crystal Palace in 1982. “There put it at the heart of their the union more inclusive will were the heckles and racist programme for building the have big benefits. The union chants from our own fans, I economy. “We can’t succeed will be more in touch with PROPORTIONALITY didn’t expect it,” said Paul, if we don’t make the best of the membership and it will whose problems with racism people’s talents,” said Kate, enhance democracy. There extended into the dressing who told how Corbyn’s will be better decisions made room, where he got into a Labour would be pro-active and a positive impact on fight with another player who and interventionist. recruitment going forward.” had called him an ape. Kate highlighted the There were representations “Chelsea didn’t back me,” under representation made by the four advisory said Paul, who then of women and BAME committees. went to Reading FC. in virtually every Winston Richards, vice Labour MP and path of life. “Just chair of the Race Advisory shadow minister 29% of MPs are Committee, declared that for Women and women with 6 per 62% of branches don’t have a Equalities Kate cent BAME,” said BAME officer. Green declared that Kate, who highlighted a Members of the Disability the labour movement is study being undertaken by Advisory Committee strongest when it follows the Labour Party looking highlighted that disability the values of equality and at how more women and affects one in five people. justice. She accused the BAME can be encouraged Potentially, 30,000 CWU Tory government of being to become representatives. members have disabilities. “cavalier” with equality Head of Education and The Women’s Committee issues. Training, Trish Lavelle, set a representation target Kate highlighted how outlined the new pilot of 50% for women on all women on benefits had mentoring scheme that will committees. been hit twice as hard by see 40 mentees being The LGBT committee told the austerity agenda as men. mentored by 40 mentors how LGB people are twice “The cuts to public services over the next 12 months. as likely to be discriminated have hit women, BAME and The mentees will against as their heterosexual the young especially hard,” be sought from the counterparts.

THE WORD SPRING 2016 07 EDITOR’S COLUMN TO FIND OUT MORE AND GET INVOLVED contact [email protected]

be good. However, we do realise this may not WELCOME have suited everyone. kath kelly We had new delegates and faces. Some editor people spoke for the first time. The passion and sisterhood was immense, going to prove that elcome to the women’s give something to a woman and it gets done. section of the new equalities I’d like to say well done and look forward to Wmagazine The Word. meeting you all again. May I just say what a fantastic Also, a massive thank you to the WAC conference we had in Glasgow members who have stood down and gone on in November – it was the largest to new adventures. A massive welcome to attendance to date. those who have joined – I hope you enjoy the This was a very bold move, to experience. move to a weekday but goes only to prove that some changes can K. Kelly Charitable donations Morag Rose examines the remarkable story and legacy of Mary Barbour

he Scottish Women’s converged on the sheriff courts in be elected to the town council. Regional Committee (SWRC) the centre of Glasgow. They were She was the Corporation’s first Talong with the Scottish accompanied by shipyard and woman Baillie and was one of the Region are supporting an initiative engineering workers. first female magistrates. to commemorate working class These actions resulted in Lloyd Mary campaigned and hero Mary Barbour with a statue. George’s wartime coalition supported numerous causes, They sponsored a half government quickly pushing such as municipal banks, page advert in their souvenir through the Rent Restrictions laundries, baths and free milk. programme for a fund-raising Act of 1915. Mary’s commitment to gala night in February. Glasgow’s working class families Mary Barbour was a political was huge and she served on eight activist in the Kinning Park Co-op different committees, she was Guild, well known for her part also the chair of the Women’s in the rent strikes in Govan in Welfare and Advisory Clinic, 1915. She joined which was Glasgow’s first family Labour Party and the Socialist planning centre. Sunday School movement. Picture caption in here Mary retired as a councillor in Mary was actively involved in 1931 but continued her activities organising tenant committees and This act very quickly improved to help disadvantaged families in local women, to drive out sheriff the legal position of the working Glasgow. She died in 1958. Even in officers and resist evictions. class tenants throughout Britain, death Mary Barbour still continues The rent strikes quickly giving them greater protection to inspire women of today. spread throughout Glasgow and from unscrupulous landlords. l At the recent CWU Women’s conference attracted political support from Mary’s activism didn’t end in Glasgow, a bucket collection at lunch the ILP as well as the public. As there; she played a part in time raised £356.03 which was donated to a result, Glasgow saw one of founding the Women’s Peace Rachell House in Kinross. Rachell House is a member of CHAS. (Children's Hospice the largest demonstrations ever Crusade in Glasgow. Association Scotland ) CHAS is a charity organised on 17 November 1915. In 1920, Mary stood as a labour that helps support up to 380 families Nicknamed ‘Mrs Barbour councillor in Govan, becoming the across Scotland who are caring for a child Army’, thousands of women first successful Labour woman to with life shortening conditions.

08 SPRING 2016 THE WORD NEWS FEATURE

Trish Vollans reports on how funds raised at the annual International Women’s Day dinner have been used to support a CWUHA schools project in Africa

he International Women’s Day Dinner, organised by Linda McAven Labour MEP Tfor Yorkshire & Humberside and chair of the European Parliament’s International Development committee, took place on the 17 March at the Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield. It was the sixth dinner to celebrate International Women’s Day. The dinner provided an opportunity to celebrate with like-minded people, while at the same time fundraising for international projects which benefit women and girls. Last year, the £3,000 raised by the project was donated to the CWUHA’s ‘African Project’.

International Women’s Day event supports CWUHA School in Africa

he African Project is the NEC member, Julia Upton, aims to help women and girls gain provision of support to the visited the school. “At times, I access to learning and education TKilima Hewa School in Moshi thought my heart may break at opportunities. The proceeds raised Tanzania. This school is part of the poverty and sadness of the will go to the Tasibeh Girls School a farm, where Mr Masawee and children’s circumstances, especially in Pindi, Pakistan. The school is his family originally provided when we had the privilege of located in a very poor region of educational support for around 30 being invited to meet some of their Pakistan, educating over 100 girls children from the local villages. families and be welcomed into their and providing additional practical The involvement of homes. But, even more often, and financial support for many of the CWUHA and the I thought my heart may their families. The school was set sponsorships from just burst, with both up and is supported by women individual pride and joy, at from across the communities in funders has the impact we Rotherham and South Yorkshire, enabled have made, led by activist Khalida Luqman and the school and continue her family. to provide to make, and The North East Regional education for how happy women’s committee have 90 children. the children are supported this event for five of the Three classrooms during their time at six years, and continue to help raise have been built, with the school,” said Julia. awareness and funding. electricity provided. “The CWUHA certainly Toilets have been built and school lives up to its motto l If you would like more information on Linda equipment provided. of ‘Delivering Smiles to Needy McAven’s IWD event, email: It’s been seven years since the Children’ and, believe me, their [email protected]. CWUHA embarked on the ‘African smiles are contagious.” l If you would like more information or wish Project,’ transforming the lives of The IWD is raising money this to raise money for the CWUHA’s projects, children in the area. year for a similar project, that contact: [email protected]

THE WORD SPRING 2016 09 friend or colleague. Preference is given Help for to women who are or have been normally in women employment. Women in work are considered as well in need of as those who are not, the criteria being that the trust a break provides for the woman in need. The trust recognises Linda Roy explains that a holiday may not be financially possible even for how the Mary those in work. Macarthur Holiday What Help is available? Trust helps women in ■ The trust provides need of a break financial help towards the cost of a holiday. ■ The trust tries to help as ary Macarthur was homes were closed and the many women as possible born in Ayr in 1880 trust now awards grants each year. Mand died in 1921. towards the costs of chosen ■ There is a maximum Although her life was short, holidays. amount available for any it was very full. At the age holiday. of 23, she became General How do I qualify? Secretary of the Women’s Under the terms of the trust, What do I need to do? Trade Union League. She grants are limited to women. You need to complete an was President of the National ■ You must not have had a application form fully and Federation of Women holiday in recent years. accurately, giving as much Workers from 1906 to 1908 ■ You must not have information as possible. You and its general secretary received a grant from the should then arrange for your until her death. One of her trust for at least three years. sponsor to complete the main achievements was that Consideration is given to second section of the form. she secured an amendment those re-applying after three The form together with to the Munitions Act, which years, only, after applications your letter of support from required that women should from women who have not your sponsor on their letter receive the same rate of pay had a holiday for a longer headed paper, stating why as men, when carrying out period of time have been they feel you are eligible for men’s work. dealt with. a holiday grant and how At the time of her death, A sponsoring body or a holiday would benefit working women had no paid person must support your Below: Mary your health, must be sent holidays and there was no application with a letter Macarthur who to: Cheryl Andrews Unit achieved so much House 1 Cathedral NHS. In Mary’s memory, (on a letter headed paper), in a short life an appeal was launched explaining why Road Cardiff CF11 and a trust formed to fund they feel you 9SD. places in convalescent or are eligible holiday homes. This success for a holiday What happens enabled them to buy a home grant and how next? and name it – the Mary a holiday would The application will Macarthur Holiday Home. benefit your be considered by More homes were health. A sponsor the management opened. For over 60 years, can be a GP; social committee at their women benefited from time worker; support quarterly meeting spent at Mary Macarthur worker; trade and you will be Holiday Homes. Then, as union official but informed of their expectations changed, the not a family or decision.

10 SPRING 2016 THE WORD FEATURE women from around the globe In the third part of the ‘Women from around the globe’ series, Pauline Granstan looks at the role of women as leaders from the eighteenth century to the present day

n this the penultimate part of Asia Latin America & the our four-part series, we pay Qiu Jin (1875-1907) Caribbean Itribute to “women as leaders”. from China Mary Eugenia Charles, The article looks briefly at the ------(1919-2005) of Dominica lives of a few women who have A poet, Qui supported ------challenged cultural expectations the rights of women Mary Eugenia Charles and overcome the many barriers to through her literature. was the co-founder of assuming leadership roles. One of her poems the Dominican Freedom begins: ‘Don’t tell Party (DFP) in 1968. Africa me women…are Her party was elected Tara Fela-Durotoye not the stuff of heroes’. In 1906, to power and she (1977-) from Nigeria Qui founded her own journal, became Prime Minister (1980-1995). ------‘Zhonggo nubao’. In 1907, Qiu She was Dominica’s first and only Managing and creative was appointed head of the Datong female Prime Minister to date, director of Tara School but the school was a guise the nation’s longest serving and International, Nigeria. for the training of revolutionaries the world’s longest continuously She started her make- and a planned uprising. On 13 July serving female Prime Minister. up business in 1998, 1907, Qui was arrested and two In 1981, she faced two attempted later developing it into days later executed. This made coups d’état: one with the help of a franchise enterprise with three her a national hero. Today, Qiu is a Ku Klux Klan mercenaries and main lines: the Make-up studio, symbol of women’s independence another by members of the Defence the Makeup School and the Tara in China. Force. Mary was instrumental in product line. Tara has changed economic reform and as chair of the the face of an entire industrial Europe Organisation of Eastern Caribbean sector in her country and is also Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ States (OECS) encouraged the empowering a new generation of Chanel (1883-1971) from US led invasion of Grenada in young women entrepreneurs. France 1983. She was knighted by Queen ------Elizabeth II in 1991, a tribute to America Fashion designer, Coco, her distinguished career as lawyer, Sojourner Truth is founder of the Chanel politician and journalist. (1797-1883) from the US brand. Her patterns ------of simplicity and middle east A former abolitionist style revolutionised ada yonath (1939-xxx) of and feminist, Sojourner women’s clothing, israel Truth was born into especially during the 1920s - a ------slavery. She lived her significant period for the liberation A crystallographer, best first 29 years as a slave, of women. Coco introduced trousers known for pioneering but should have been and suits for women, helped work on the structure freed at age 25 under the law. In pioneer the collarless cardigan of the ribosome. After 1843, Isabella changed her name to jacket, the bias cut dress, the shoe 25,000 attempts, Ada and Sojourner Truth. Sojourner travelled string shoulder strap, the floating her team succeeded in extensively preaching for: human evening scarf and the wearing 1980. For the next 20 years, Ada and rights, women’s rights, the abolition together of junk and real jewels. colleagues solved for the first time, of slavery, prison reform and the Her signature scent, Chanel No. the complete spatial structure of both termination of capital punishment. 5, has become an iconic product. sub-units of a bacterial ribosome. In During her lifetime she won three Coco was the only designer to be 2009, she shared the Nobel Prize for lawsuits. This was unusual for listed in the Time Magazine’s 100 studies of the structure and function a woman, especially an illiterate most influential people of the 20th of ribosome. She is the first woman ex-slave. A United States postage Century. In the 1960s, a Broadway from the Middle East to win a Nobel stamp was issued in her honour at musical – ‘Coco’ - was made about Prize in the sciences and the first the Sojourner Truth Library in New her life. Many biographers say Coco woman in 45 years to win the Nobel York on 5 February 1986. remains an enigma. Prize for chemistry.

THE WORD SPRING 2016 11 REVIEW

SUFFRAGETTE Paul Donovan looks at the critically acclaimed film, Suffragette, a period drama which offers a fascinating glimpse of women’s struggle for the vote

uffragette offers a fascinating Wilding Davison under the the movement, with the divisions snapshot of the struggle of King’s horse at the Derby in 1913. between Emmeline and Cristabel Swomen to obtain the vote. The struggle for the vote in on the one side and Sylvia The film shows the oppression reality continued a lot longer Pankhurst on the other. suffered in the workplace and at through the First World War Sylvia was much more part of home due to the disempowerment till 1928 before all women were the labour movement, working of women in society. enfranchised. The principle with working class women on the The story of struggle follows was conceded in 1918, when ground. Emmeline and Cristabel the lines of many conflicts in the women over 30 with a property supported the First World War UK over the years. Patient appeals qualification were allowed the and the Tories, whilst pushing using the Parliamentary process vote. for a far more elitist approach to falling on deaf ears, leaving those The film offers a snapshot the struggle for the vote. But this seeking justice only the streets of politicisation of a number would be a very different type of and direct protest as their option. of women from differing film to make. The suffragette line as depicted in backgrounds and their struggle Suffragettes presents the the film was one of violent actions against injustice. Emmeline injustice of the inequality women undertaken for a period. Pankhurst played by Meryl Streep suffered in a straightforward The shorthand simplification of makes a fleeting appearance to way, easy to understand which the story sees the goals achieved, deliver an inspiring speech. There resonates now with present day following the death of Emily is no delving into the politics of ongoing injustices.

12 SPRING 2016 THE WORD FEATURE

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into any pub now with my wife and not have to worry what anyone is thinking about us, WELCOME and not to feel threatened. I’m not saying that Kate Stewart LGBTAC chair happens all of the time, because there will always be people who just want trouble, that elcome from the LGBT advisory is not, necessarily, because of the person you committee to the new equality choose to be with though. Wmagazine, we hope you enjoy our It is only when I look back 25 years to when I section and find it informative and interesting. was coming out do I realise how much progress This year we will be rolling out a new bullying has been achieved in equality for LGBT people, and harassment document for LGBT members and I hope to look back in another ten years and and activists. We hope that you will embrace see further progress to an all-inclusive society. the exercise and learn from the results that are It is through people like you and me that we can gathered. make this a reality. It is unfortunate that we still have to fight this Finally, I would also like to give a warm battle of homophobia and transphobia in the welcome to the new LGBT committee and workplace and in society in general, and though thank all those who have served before for there are laws to protect LGBT people their hard work. Special thanks to Dave Daniel and indeed a wider acceptance of who has served as chair for many years and is LGBT there is still a fair way to go entitled to a well-earned rest. I am confident to be treated completely equally. that the new committee will carry on the fight I personally never thought that with the same spirit as those who have gone I would ever see equal marriage before them. rights for lesbian and gay people I hope you enjoy the magazine in its new but I have been proved wrong, format and continue with your support for and thanks mainly to a Labour things to do with equality. Government for kick starting such equality gains. It is refreshing to walk Kate Stewart

Theresa Clark invites ride season will soon be upon us. I you to Pride am personally inviting you to attend Pyour nearest pride event! Pride parades occur all over the world and are a celebration of acceptance and remembrance. We celebrate the right to be ourselves, we celebrate love and life. We also remember those who came before us, when homosexuality was illegal and we were forced to hide for fear of attack. Times have changed, thank goodness. But we march, as we always will, while injustice still exists in the world. You don’t have to be gay to attend and we would appreciate your support. Just mention that Theresa sent you!!! FEATURE

Pleasure and pain of coming out Ryan Case recalls the challenge of coming out at 16 at the end of the decade

oming out, at 16, was last I was me. When I was was a “thing”. The a big thing. More about 25, my best friend, 1999 progress that has happened Cso when it’s on your and next door neighbour The last year that in society since then is birthday. In 1999, the age since birth, told me that there was an amazing but there’s still unequal age of of consent was still 18. she found my mother consent a way to go. But, you There was still this faint crying on the doorstep should always remember smell of the shame that not long after I had come that, even if you think had been forced on the gay out. I didn’t know but your family are against community by the Thatcher my mother took time off you, they’re probably government. In many work after I came out. not. They’re probably just people’s eyes, being gay I’ve not fully discussed it proud of you but they equalled having AIDs. with my mother, but when don’t know how I didn’t care, though, my mother has had a few to show it. I was young and gay. drinks she calls me and I wanted the world to tells me that she has know. My mother didn’t always been proud take it well. She had a of me. breakdown. But, now that Now, at the age I’m 32, and having gone of 32, I know through a breakdown that my mother myself last year, I realise was proud that that actually my mother’s I was brave breakdown wasn’t because enough to come she was ashamed. It was out at a time because she wanted me when it wasn’t to have the best future I the done thing could. And my breakdown in a mining was because I’ve never town in South really acknowledged the Yorkshire. love and care she gave me My family through that time. have been It’s incredibly easy as a incredibly young person to think that supportive you can just do whatever of me since I you want. I really didn’t came out. From care who I upset, because at my parents, grandparents, Now, at the age and brother - all I of 32, I know that my have felt is love and admiration. When mother was proud that I came out, teachers I was brave enough to weren’t allowed to come out even acknowledge that homosexuality

14 SPRING 2016 THE WORD FEATURE

Diversity in Sport Sally Wilson looks at the role of LEAP in advancing diversity in sport in Scotland

eadership, Equality, Active Participation (LEAP) Sports Scotland is a registered charity dedicated to breaking Ldown barriers faced by LGBTI people when participating in sport. They recognise, promote and celebrate diversity within sport. LEAP has played a key role in providing a wide range of events for LGBTI people to engage in such as: ■ Development and planning of Pride House Glasgow during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, implementing a 14 day programme of sporting, cultural and social events. ■ Hosting the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation annual general assembly in March 2016. ■ Working with affiliated sports groups to deliver Festival Fortnight annually in June. ■ Using social media, during LGBT History month, they have provided a daily biography highlighting key LGBT innovators in sport. The next projects on the horizon for LEAP Sports is their bid to host the 2020 EuroGames, as well as provision of a Homeless Pride House as part of this year’s Homeless World Cup in Glasgow. I have been volunteering with LEAP Sports Scotland since June 2014, after learning about their plans to deliver Pride House in Glasgow. LEAP Sports value the contribution of volunteers in assisting with the running of their programme of events. Through volunteering, I have met new friends, enhanced my skills, increased my confidence and I find it incredibly rewarding as I have been given the opportunity to give something back to the community. If you would like to volunteer for LEAP Sports Scotland, help to champion and support their bid for the EuroGames or just learn more about the charity, please visit their website at www.leapsports.org

Personally, I dread the thought of Older living alongside the bullies and homophobes of my past. There may be treasure at the and end of the rainbow. Newspaper headlines, in September 2015, gayer told of plans to open the UK’s first LGBT retirement home. Theresa Clark Tonic Housing is looking to surveys the locate in London or Brighton. Other countries already provide provisions for the care homes and communities LGBT community specifically for LGBT retirees. in old age Stockholm in Sweden has an apartment complex catering for around a hundred residents with a report by Stonewall has and may even be ostracised by waiting list of 60. shown that 41% of elderly their wider family circle. France and Spain have a ALGBT people live alone. Recent studies have revealed multitude of retirement villages. Gay pensioners have less of a that a quarter of health and Imagine retiring to Bordeaux for support network than their straight social care staff had heard their instance. counterparts. Older gay men are colleagues make homophobic There are currently dozens of three times more likely to be single remarks in the last five years. gay communities all over America than straight men. Elderly LGBT Is it any wonder that elderly providing a warm and friendly people can have few or no spousal LGBT people feel it necessary atmosphere for LGBT elders. benefits, less help from children to ‘go back into the closet’? We are not alone.

THE WORD SPRING 2016 15 FEATURE

LGBT oppression Today – Why? Merlin Reader looks at recent progress from decriminalising homosexuality, to marriage and adoption rights but asks why was homosexuality illegal anyway n pre-modern societies, ‘homosexuality’ abortion, and women were able to get ‘divorce as we understand it today didn’t exist. on demand’). The gains in Russia were rolled IIn different societies, there was a huge back by Stalin. range of acceptable behaviours. Perhaps most Fundamentally, in modern society, the role well-known, in ancient Greece it was thought of the family to bring up the next generation that love between an older man and a youth still holds true. Although there is come was normal. Less well known, in some parts provision of free education and healthcare, of Africa and New Guinea, it was normal for the rest of the effort involved in bringing up young men to live as a couple before later children, feeding and clothing, keeping them separating and finding a female partner. in a warm and safe environment etc, is still In North America and Siberia, transsexual down to couples (or a single parent, 90% of individuals who lived as a member of the them are female in the UK). There is no sense opposite sex (but could have either same or that children are a responsibility of society as opposite sex partners, or none) were often a whole. shamans (spiritual leaders and mystics). In The obsession with relationships and some parts of the South Pacific and Africa, families gives a sense that this is the only children were regarded as everyone’s ‘acceptable’ way to live. LGBT people can responsibility, and sexual attachments were now get married – but trying to be legally regarded as a matter of no great importance. responsible for a child without marrying (if A thousand years ago, ‘marriage’ for most you aren’t the mother) is difficult. And this people in Europe was not as complicated as still means living in a ‘family’. today. Same sex marriages occurred, and were So whilst in some countries there have been even blessed. In Persia, there were Muslims huge legal gains, there is still an expectation writing about loving men. that the ‘correct’ way to live is as a couple. The term ‘homosexuality’ only appeared You’ve ‘failed’ if you live on your own (unless in 1869. And it was only in 1885 that you’re widowed, or divorced with kids). Or ‘homosexual acts’ were made illegal in the UK. if you live in shared accommodation. Look The government and industrialists were at any mainstream soap opera or film set concerned about the need for workers – they in the modern world and find one where needed young couples to reproduce rapidly. a ‘happy family life’ (generally with kids) The idea of ‘the nuclear family,” whereby Below: Violence isn’t the aspiration for the characters. Whilst a pair of workers would be responsible for and homophobia LGBT people are more accepted, this isn’t bringing up the next generation was born. continues to universally true (especially for Trans people), The controls on sexuality, the image of a challenge LGBT and in my experience it holds true only so people ‘loving family’, and the idealisation of ‘happy long as we aspire to emulate this ‘family life’. childhood’ were promoted. This isn’t really liberation. It was under the British Empire that The fact that LGBT people were homosexuality was banned in much of the ‘illegal’ (and still are in some countries) rest of the world – bans which are still in meant that they could be victimised, place in some of those countries despite blackmailed, threatened – and blamed their gaining independence. for social problems. Racism and When the French revolution sexism have different origins to LGBT happened in the late 1700s, the new oppression in modern society – but republic had no laws concerning they can still play the same role of buggery etc. And most former French dividing workers. And when we colonies have no anti LGBT laws. stand up together - black and In the USSR, homosexuality was white, LGBT and straight etc - that decriminalised in 1917, following is when we can really start to liberate the Russian revolution (along with ourselves from the ideas that divide us.

16 SPRING 2016 THE WORD FEATURE TO FIND OUT MORE AND GET INVOLVED CONTACT [email protected] HELLO COMRADES!! greg amissah EDITOR – BLACK, ASIAN AND ETHNIC MINORITY NEWS

ello Comrades! Welcome to the new Committee and wish them all the best during their equality magazine, which takes the place two year term. I would also like to thank everyone Hof the Drum and other minority strand else who took the time to contribute to this magazines. This is the first edition, that new format and hope that the readers find them brings all the strands together. interesting and informative. I would like to reiterate I hope that this turns out to that is your magazine and you are always welcome be move forward and not a step to send in contributions or articles. These can be backwards as minority groups seem sent to me at:[email protected] to always suffer with change. I’d like to welcome all the new members of the Race Advisory Greg Amissah

Greg Amissah looks at the life of legendary singer and activist Bob Marley 6 Feb 1945 – 11 May 1981

e no really say bad things about no one, cause me have a full heart. That is a “Msign of being ignorant. I just prefer to understand the situation and suss it out, and say what is right and what is wrong” -- Bob Marley. Bob Marley’s songs still resonate in the modern day with the cop shootings in America of black males being an example of No Woman No Cry, and Johnny Was. In We and Dem he sings “Me no know how we and them gonna work it out” (in relation to religious extremism”. He called capitalism, (Babylon to Rastafarians) “a vampire, sucking the blood of the sufferer.” You hardly hear his angry songs on radio but mainly the mellow songs. Songs like Them Belly Full (But We Hungry), Crazy Baldhead and Who the Cap Fits are hardly ever heard on radio. The song Guiltiness relates how the big fish who always try to eat up the small fish and who would do anything, to materialise their every wish. As musicians nowadays hardly seem to turn to protest he can still be seen as a musician who laid his life on the line for his beliefs that were in many cases expressed in songs a child could hum. He is credited as saying “The truth is the truth, you know. BOB Sometimes you have to just sacrifice. I mean, you can’t always hide; you have to talk the truth. If a guy wants to come and hurt you for the truth, then, MARLEY at least you said the truth.” THE WORD SPRING 2016 17 COMMENT

Stop the racist scapegoating of migrants

Winston Richards, vice-chair of the RAC, looks at the scapegoating of migrants and looks forward to the annual conference of Unite Against Fascism

Above: Standing he Unite Against Minister David Cameron against racism, condemnation, with the Fascism annual general who when referring to fascism and UN’s refugee agency saying Tconference reminds refugees recently used the Islamaphobia that the measure “beggars us of the need to report terms “bunch of migrants” belief.” on the real issues faced by and ”swarms of people” in The UAF conference is people escaping horrendous such a dismissive manner. part sponsored by the CWU. conditions, whilst using It was a shameful comment, We can be proud of our all available resources that he does not appear to involvement in providing to challenge the twisted see any need to apologise support for the work UAF myths and rhetoric. What for. It is not what you expect undertakes, there are is concerning and must be to hear from a British Prime harrowing testimonies from challenged is the destructive Minister. former refugees as well as narrative surrounding those The hardening of attitudes from the volunteers who people fleeing unbelievable to the plight of refugees have travelled to Calais to terror, risking their lives and can also be witnessed provide assistance. those of their loved ones, to elsewhere in Europe. So in Unions have a proud seek sanctuary. Britain has Denmark, for instance, the tradition of offering a been known as a safe haven government have set out to helping hand to our fellow from persecution and torture; seize valuables worth more brothers and sisters. It a place where shattered lives than 10,000 kroner (£1,000) is vital we continue to can be rebuilt, despite their from refugees to cover raise awareness and that unspeakable experiences. housing and food costs. branches lend their support However, since the conflict The prospect of refugees by affiliating to UAF. started in Syria in 2011 there having possessions seized Individuals can also play has been a shift towards has led to comparisons being a part in attending local generalisation of the issues drawn with the confiscation demonstrations and where facing refugees. The tone of valuables from Jews ever possible challenging and language suggests a during World War Two. the negative stereotypes that hardening of attitudes, none The so-called jewellery tend to come with media more so than that of Prime law has faced worldwide reports on the refugee crisis.

18 SPRING 2016 THE WORD PROFILE

Paul Canoville story Paul Donovan tells the story of how one time Chelsea footballer Paul Canoville fought the racists and won

ormer Chelsea footballer Paul Canoville recalled the horrendous Fracist abuse he had received from his own fans whilst warming up to make his debut against Crystal Palace in 1982. “I was warming up and there were the heckles and racist chants from our own fans, I didn’t expect it,” said Paul, who was the first black player to play for Chelsea. He recalled on returning to the dressing room, after the Palace game, how his team mates did not know what to say. Three years later, things had got better. Paul recalled coming on as a substitute in a cup match with Sheffield Wednesday, scoring two goals and setting up two. “I was applauded by the fans,” said Paul, whose problems with racism extended into the dressing room, where he got into a fight with another player who had called him an ape. “Chelsea didn’t back me,” said Paul, who then went to Reading FC. Paul was speaking at the Communication Workers Union proportionality conference at the TUC, also attended by CWU general secretary, Dave Ward – a keen Chelsea supporter. Dave recalled the day of the Crystal Palace game and his own revulsion at the chants being directed at Paul. “I was there on that day and disgusted by the chants being directed at Paul,” said Dave. Paul Canoville retired early through injury but had more heartache, getting addicted to drugs and having cancer. He overcame both conditions. Paul also suffered heartbreak in 1995, when his son Tye, who had a heart defect, died in his arms. Paul had 11 children. However, Paul rebuilt his life, and was asked by Chelsea in 2004 to talk to some children. He later became a classroom assistant. He also does workshops in prisons. His autobiography “Black and Blue” (2008) won a number of awards. Last year, there was a Sky documentary titled Black and Blue: the Paul Canoville story chronicling his life. Paul is a strong advocate for black players in the game and their advancement onto the managerial ladder. He is particularly angry at the denial of the possibility to black players of becoming managers in the Premiership. “We played and thought we’d be given a chance but we’re not getting that chance. It is upsetting us a lot – there is the question of how we overcome barriers,” said Paul, who spoke of a scheme in the US NFL whereby a BAME person has to be interviewed for major coaching positions. This of course could become a cosmetic exercise but it would be a start. The former footballer was also critical of the authorities for showing a lack of support for women’s football. “The FA are not supporting women’s football,” said Paul.

THE WORD SPRING 2016 19 FEATURE

Needs for more positive action to gain BAME representation in Parliament Linford Gibbons, RAC member, argues the case for more BAME representation in Parliament

he Department for Work and There was a notable upturn Pensions (DWP) put forward in BAME support for the T52 BAME candidates across Conservatives at the last general the country at the last general election. The party selected more election but more must be done. BAME candidates in winnable However, the DWP has now said seats than Labour did. When more black candidates need to seven in 10 black voters vote come forward to stand as local Labour but there are so few black councillors and MPs. Labour MPs, we have a problem. of under-representation needs to be Labour’s all women shortlists There should be a BAME place resolved in our internal structures have helped better representation – reserved on every parliamentary as much as with our politicians. what about BAME shortlists? For shortlist, and in constituencies with As I write there is a distinct Labour to regain power it needs to high non-white populations, the possibility of London’s first BAME reach out to BAME communities – NEC should instruct that at least mayor being elected, with Labour’s a survey showed that in over 100 half of candidates be BAME. Sadiq Khan. He was born on a UK constituencies the BAME vote There must be quotas on south London council estate of a could decide who gains power in devolved lists that guarantee bus driver father and seamstress Westminster. BAME representation. The issue mother, immigrants from Pakistan. A princess fighting for women’s right to vote

Amarjite Singh (AJ), chair of the Sophia’s eight siblings included Frederick BAME, looks at the unusual life of a Duleep Singh, and the suffragette Catherine Duleep Singh. She inherited substantial Royal suffragette wealth from her father upon his death in 1893, and in 1898 her godmother, Queen Victoria, rincess Sophia Alexandra Duleep granted Sophia a grace and favour apartment Singh was born at Elveden Hall on 8 in Faraday House, Hampton Court. PAugust 1876. She died at Hilden Hall, Sophia marched at the head of the Black Below: Princess Tylers Green on 22 August 1948. She was a Sophia argued no Friday deputation in 1910, with Emmeline prominent suffragette and is best remembered taxation without Pankhurst, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and for her leading role in the Women’s Tax representation Dorinda Neligan. She appeared in court Resistance League. in the cause of several times due to her refusal to pay Sophia Duleep Singh was the daughter suffrage taxes remarking, “When the women of of Maharaja Duleep Singh and Bamba England are enfranchised I shall pay my Müller who was brought up among the taxes willingly. If I am not a person for the British aristocracy. purposes of representation, why should I Duleep Singh had been the last be a fit person for taxation?” Maharaja of the Sikh Empire in Punjab Sophia’s public life was mostly spent and was exiled from India by the British campaigning for women’s rights, although at the age of fifteen, while Müller was of she also supported the interests of the mixed German and Ethiopian descent. south Indian seamen, the lascars.

20 SPRING 2016 THE WORD EDITORIAL

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am delighted to welcome the Word Needs for more positive action to gain WELCOME magazine, bringing together the “I advisory committees and providing our NATALIE FLEMMING members with a top quality read.” BAME representation in Parliament EDITOR – DISABILITY Natalie Flemming The Bedroom Tax Linda Roy looks at the vagaries of the bedroom tax

edroom tax (also known as under occupancy is away on duty. They will be deemed as still living charge or the spare room subsidy) is a charge at home and therefore allocated a bedroom whilst Bto entitlement, that means away on operations. If you have an adult child who you will receive less money in housing benefits if is living in barracks as part of a pre‑deployment you live in a housing association or council property training, they may not be affected. If an adult is living that is deemed to have one or more spare bedrooms. in barracks but they are not on duty they will not Having one spare bedroom means you lose 14% of be deemed as living in the home and you will be your entitled housing benefit. Having two or more affected by bedroom tax. spare bedrooms means you lose 25% of your benefits. You may not be affected if you have a spare room This new tax started affecting properties with spare for the use of an overnight carer. You will be affected bedrooms in April 2013. by bedroom tax if the spare room is only used by carers or for medical reasons during the day. Who will bedroom tax affect? The bedroom tax affects those of So what are the bedroom working age (16 to 61), who receive tax rules? housing benefits. There are a number of different rules as to what counts as a taxable Who will bedroom tax not spare bedroom: affect? ■ Children of both sexes under The tax does not affect those who 10 would be expected to share a receive a state pension or rent or bedroom. If they currently do not have a shared ownership property. share and they remain in separate rooms, one of their rooms would be Possible bedroom tax exemptions considered as a spare room. People, who may not be affected, include those, ■ Children of the same gender under 16 would who have a severely disabled child who requires their be expected to share a bedroom. own room. In some circumstances a severely disabled ■ Couples and adults are entitled to have bedrooms child is to be allowed their own bedroom, if they of their own. would seriously disrupt the sleep of another child in ■ If a bedroom (with or without furniture) is kept the property, if they were to share a room. free for when a child comes to stay with a parent Foster carers may not be affected, as long as they that they do not normally live with, this room will have fostered a child or have become an approved be considered as a spare bedroom. foster carer in the last 12 months. If you are affected ■ Bedroom tax allowance for a child can only be by the bedroom tax and have more than one foster claimed by one parent, even where they share access child, you will be able to apply for a discretionary to the child. housing payment. ■ Extra bedrooms for medical reasons will not be Foster carers will also be exempt whether a child allowed and will still be affected by the rules of has been placed with you or not, or you are between bedroom tax e.g. a couple using separate bedrooms, placements. You may not be affected if you have an because one of them is ill or recovering from an adult child, who is serving in the armed forces, who operation.

THE WORD SPRING 2016 21 NEWS

Benefit cuts defeated in House of Lords Government plans to cut disability benefits for those deemed unfit for work have been defeated in the House of Lords

he proposed personalised programmes. This cut of £30 a is where they should be directing Tweek from their energy, rather than pushing people classed as people further into poverty.” unable to work but The £30 cut would have come who could undertake other into force in 2017, and affected activities towards getting a new claimants placed in the job was supposed to remove Work Related Activity Group of the “perverse incentive” of the Employment and Support staying on benefits, according Allowance. to Work and Pensions This group are classed as Secretary . being unfit for work but able In January, more than 30 to undertake activities to help charities and three peers, them move towards work. The including Baroness Tanni Grey- cut would also apply to the Thompson, wrote to Duncan government's flagship benefit Smith warning the proposed , which disabled cut would “push sick and people will start being moved onto disabled people further away later this year. from work and closer to Rob Holland, Parliamentary poverty.” Manager at Mencap and co-chair of The House of Lords voted the Disability Benefits Consortium, against the plan by 283 to 98. welcomed the defeat. He said: “The Speaking after the vote, Government wants to get more Labour's Lord McKenzie said: disabled people into work, but “Peers from across the House as a sector we have warned that urged Lord Freud to see sense cutting ESA WRAG, and Universal and listen to those whose lives Credit, will directly undermine will be made a misery by this cut that commitment whilst pushing to their support Sadly, he didn't disabled people further from work but the outcome of the vote at and closer to or into poverty. least provides the opportunity for “This proposed cut together with reflection and a further challenge the crisis in social care funding in the Commons. Many of the means disabled people are facing people affected by the plans would losses to critical support they welcome the chance to move need to make ends meet and to be towards work if the government included in society. would only invest in tailored, "The Government can no longer ignore the widespread opposition Just six per cent of the to this, which now also faces huge people thinking welfare cuts public opposition, with just six per will make the UK a better cent of the people thinking welfare cuts will make the UK a better place for disabled people place for disabled people to live.”

22 SPRING 2016 THE WORD Phone charge misery for vulnerable claimants Benefit claimants face more financial barriers when accessing DWP helplines

he DWP pledged in 2013, to abolish premium rate call numbers. However, The Work and Pensions Department T has now said, it would not set up a free 0800 number for the new universal credit payment and suggested people should claim online. Apart from the obvious problems of claimants not being online, the high cost of premium calls could present further barriers to the vulnerable. The top rate of the 0345 number could be 45 pence per minute, resulting in a standard 40 minute call amounting to £18, a third of the job seekers allowance for young claimants. The higher call charges particularly apply to the pay-as-you-go contracts; these are more common amongst many claimants, who are not financially able to take out a landline or monthly mobile contract. Frank Field MP, chair of the works and pension select committee said “there is something really disturbing about the idea of people on their uppers having to incur a hefty phone bill just to talk to somebody about their benefit claim” 14,000 disabled lose their motability cars under new government changes Under the Motability scheme, disabled people who received the “mobility component” of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) qualified for mobility cars

ince April 2013, the incorrectly under the new Department of Work and PIP Scheme and appeals have SPensions (DWP) has been found in favour of 60% of carrying out welfare changes, claimants. with the DLA being replaced The scheme also offers by the Personal Independence financial help for adaptations Payment (PIP) to cars such as wheel chair Of those 31,200 currently hoists and steering wheel reassessed, who were modifications. previously on the higher rate Critics of the changes point of DLA therefore eligible for out that disabled people cars, 55% have kept their cars. will lose their independence However, the remaining and the ability to keep 45% –13,900 – have lost their current employment and the cars, because they have been opportunity to look for work. judged not eligible for the The government hope to higher rate. save £2bn by switching from Many have been reassessed DLA to PIPs.

THE WORD SPRING 2016 23