Autumn 2008 The green newspaper for the Norwich South constituency Green Party Green New Deal to Tackle Credit Crunch he global economy is facing role of dealing prudently with a ‘triple crunch’ – the people’s savings and providing for Tcombination of a credit-fuelled sustainable investments. financial crisis, accelerating climate • Minimise corporate tax evasion by change and insecure energy supplies. clamping down on tax havens and The Green Party has joined the UK’s corporate reporting. This would leading green economists to propose provide a much needed source of a bold new vision – a ‘Green New Deal’ public finance. Finance, and the – to help tackle the root causes of the economy as a whole, would work triple crisis. The proposals would for people rather than distant create jobs, boost local economies and corporations. dramatically cut carbon emissions. • Levy a ‘windfall tax’ on the energy The Green New Deal report was companies making huge profits co-authored by a group of nine from rising fuel costs. The tax leaders in green economics, including would contribute to a raft of The Green New Deal offers positive solutions to the current crisis current and former directors of the measures to maximise energy New Economics Foundation, Friends efficiency in households across the Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy You can read the of the Earth, Finance for the Future, country. Just three companies – BP, Leader, said: “With the huge challenges Green New Deal Report at SolarCentury and the Jubilee Debt Centrica and Shell – together made that face us, it’s clear we need some www.norwichgreenparty.org Campaign, as well as the Guardian’s £1000 profit every second over the fundamental action to put things right. To order a paper copy Economics Editor, Larry Elliott, and first six months of this year! It’s no use bailing out failing banks now please write to: Office of Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas. • Create thousands of new jobs in if we don’t also put strong rules in place Dr Caroline Lucas MEP, The Green New Deal calls for the green sector through a scheme to make our savings and mortgages Suite 58, The Hop Exchange, government action to: to insulate every home in the safe from irresponsible stock market 24 Southwark Street, • Re-regulate the financial system to country and produce clean gambling in the future. The Green New London, SE1 1TY. ensure economic stability and renewable energy in every local Deal offers joined-up, practical solutions A copy will be sent to you when separate high street banking from community. This would create to the challenges we face today.” the document has been reprinted. high-risk financial speculation. much needed jobs while reducing Banking would be returned to its fuel bills and carbon emissions. Norwich South Vote 2008 Votes cast Launch of Transition Norwich across your 33% n 1st October, more than reduce reliance on fossil fuels. General 400 people packed into St Chris Hull, a Green Party County Election 24% Andrew’s Hall for the launch 21% 21% O Councillor and founder member of constituency of Transition Norwich – a community Transition Norwich, said: “Transition in the May initiative to help Norwich cut carbon Norwich is about developing 2008 local emissions and reduce oil dependency. positive ways of reducing fossil fuel Liberal Democrat Conservative Labour elections Green Within the next few years extraction use. It has a similar vision and set of aims at a local level to the Green A similar voting pattern at the next General Election would see of oil around the world will begin to Adrian Ramsay replace Charles Clarke as your MP for Norwich South. decline. This inevitably means New Deal at a national level. We need both to succeed.” Everyone receiving this newspaper will be in the Norwich South significant rises in fuel prices. Transition constituency at the next General Election. The Mousehold Street area Town groups are forming around the For more information please visit: is being moved from Norwich North to Norwich South. country to put together local plans to www.transitionnorwich.org Edited and produced by Stephen Little, NearByDesign.co.uk www.norwichgreenparty.org Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich Green Party, both c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. GreenView Profile Greens Propose Living Wage orwich City Council has voted Council will adopt it as a minimum experience hardship through low to put issues around decent level of pay for all workers in council wages, difficulties claiming benefits Nwork at the core of its agenda. services and then promote it for the and pressure from doorstep lenders On 30th September councillors city as a whole. charging up to 1000% interest. agreed a motion proposed by Green The London Living Wage Unit, set “While failing bankers and Councillor Samir Jeraj saying that the up thanks to Green Party Assembly company directors are moved on issue of decent work, and in particular Members, has lifted many people out with ‘golden handshakes’, many the creation of a Living Wage, should of poverty wages, and has been households are struggling to keep be a priority for the Council. credited with improving productivity, up with rising living costs. It’s time to get our priorities right and A Living Wage is a rate of pay based reducing sickness and boosting the introduce a Living Wage.” on what people need to meet actual local economy. living costs. As previously reported in Councillor Samir Jeraj said: To find out more please visit: GreenView, millions of pensioners are "Low pay is a particular problem in www.greenparty.org.uk/ anet Bearman has been a living in poverty because state Norwich. Many working people policies/living-wage.html Green Party City Councillor pensions are too low, but Jfor Town Close ward many younger families are since May 2006. also struggling to meet rising living costs. News in Brief When and why did you join the Green Party? Campaigners for a Living In July, the County Council Wage argue that the published plans for the future of I joined in 2001. I was becoming minimum wage is a Special Educational Needs increasingly concerned about the provision in Norfolk. This followed society people my son’s age poverty wage in most parts of the UK. Almost a study that considered the would inherit. I decided to get options on where schools could be involved in politics to help push four million children are living in poverty, of which located in the future. Green Party local and national government Councillors have worked with policies in the right direction. 57% have one or both parents in work, but their anxious parents in scrutinising the What has most surprised you wages are too low to plans and pressing for the high about working as a councillor? support their families. standard of Special Educational Since I was elected in 2006 Needs provision in Norwich to be In London, the first part there has been a definite increase maintained. Andrew Boswell, of the UK to introduce a in awareness of green issues in Green Party County Councillor for Living Wage policy, the Norwich. I also find an increasing Nelson ward, said: “We helped in rate is £7.45 per hour – number of the residents I meet on the campaign to prevent the more than £1.50 higher the doorstep want to talk about closure of the highly rated than the minimum wage. our national policies as well as Parkside School in the west of the When a Living Wage level local concerns. But it can be city. I have repeatedly called for has been set for Norwich, difficult as a local councillor when special needs education to be Greens are hoping the City Green Councillor Samir Jeraj outside City Hall residents on a street are divided properly funded and expanded over the best way forward on a as Norwich grows. We will particular local issue. continue to monitor the Council’s strategy as it unfolds.” Has the fact that the Green Party is now the largest Domestic Violence Norwich City Council has opposition group on the council adopted a new Environmental changed things? Strategy that focuses on reducing carbon emissions from the More is expected of us now Centre Under Threat Council’s buildings and services. and because we have more n October, the NSPCC announced searching for the support they need The Council first agreed to a committee seats we have more the possible closure of its to escape from violence. target of reducing its carbon influence in certain areas. But Norwich-based centre for victims emissions by 6% per year we are still two seats behind I Adrian Ramsay, Green Party following a Green Party motion to Labour so the other parties can of domestic violence. The centre Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich Council last year. The plans for a still vote down our proposals. We provides a lifeline for Norfolk’s most South, said: “The NSPCC centre provides reduction in energy consumption need a Green majority on the vulnerable children and families. vital support for children and families. should significantly reduce the council to get a comprehensive Two women are killed in domestic Its loss would be a major setback. Council’s fuel bills as well as its approach to green issues. violence incidents every week, while “The Government should be tackling carbon emissions. Under the one in nine is severely beaten every this issue head-on, not relying on What work do you do outside strategy, the Council has also charities to pay for crucial support the Green Party? year, and in 50% of cases children are agreed to: improve maintenance also abused.