Borough-wide union to tackle cost of living crisis

The Haringey Community Action Network is bringing local unions and community groups together
By Alice Kemp-Habib

The launch of Haringey CAN at Day-Mer community centre

A Haringey-wide network of community organisations and trade unions has been established to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Launched on Tuesday, 6th September at Day-Mer community centre, the Haringey Community Action Network (CAN) is building on the nation-wide ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign. It brings together a coalition of unions and community organisations from the borough, including the Haringey Claimant Justice Campaign, ACORN Haringey and Haringey Unite Community among others. Together, they hope to coordinate efforts to tackle the cost of living crisis and provide support for local campaigns.

This year, wage and benefit increases have failed to keep up with high inflation rates, a hike in taxes and soaring energy prices. By October, the typical household paying bills by direct debit will be coughing up more than £3,500 for their energy bills, and this is expected to rise again in April.

Steve Jones, the newly-elected convener for Haringey CAN said: “Haringey has some of the poorest people in the UK and the cost of living crisis is palpable for tens of thousands who will be driven into poverty if they are not already there.

“It is clear to me that society and the planet are at a crossroads. The crisis in the economy and increasing inequality was already looming large, but the conflict in the Ukraine which has caused the eye watering rise in fuel and food prices has made the situation unsustainable for millions.

“According to the Child Poverty Action Group, in the UK: 3.9 million children live in poverty; 46% of children from Black and minority ethnic groups live in poverty; and 75% of children growing up in poverty live in working families. Figures like this are untenable. Couple this with predictions that in the next 3 to 5 years damage to the planet will be permanent if serious measures are not put in place!

“It is estimated that 10% of the UK population own around 50% of the wealth, it is self-evident that this inequality is unsustainable, not only for the overwhelming majority of people but also the sustainability of the planet.

“We therefore have a perfect storm that simply must not be ignored. I believe we in Haringey are at the leading edge of bringing individual community campaigns and activists together to fight for a better future for our children and grandchildren – if we fail to do so, it is likely we will never be forgiven. History will be our judge, let’s hope there will be someone around to record it.”

Alongside the cost of living crisis, Haringey CAN intends to tackle issues such as climate change and racism, uniting campaigns across the borough in order to be more effective. Steve said: “One example of much needed coordinated activity is campaigners protesting against bus cuts outside Morrisons in Wood Green, while environmental activists a mile away were protesting about McDonalds tearing up numerous trees.

“Bus cuts mean more cars on the road, which causes pollution. If these initiatives were joined up we could have covered both and made twice the impact.”

In the week since its launch, Haringey CAN has attended a Communication Workers Union picket and a protest in support of Homegrown in Tottenham Hale, and says it will continue to support such activity. Representatives from the various Haringey CAN groups will meet again on Monday, 3rd October to develop plans and discuss future actions.

If you would like to get in touch with the Haringey Community Action Network, email: [email protected]

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