so if we really are all in it together - let's march

[sanfairyann]

can't even keep up with the tally so far but it's all anti-family and pretty much nothing else. Does Dave think we're all too busy with the kids to do anything about it? Here's a quick run through some of the cuts announced so far (thanks to guardian, link below)

abolition of Child Trust Funds;

the Health in Pregnancy Grant;

Surestart Maternity Grant for second child;

uprating of benefits by the CPI rather than RPI;

the three-year freeze on child benefits and the introduction of housing benefit limits.

Pensioners and the childless remain unscathed so far. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/07/family-unfriendly-con-dems
if we're ' all in this together' then let's stick together - and protest together.

cuts to cb are just the thin edge. The Lib-Con coalition think we should all be left to sink or swim. End up on benefits cos you lost your job? Well you should have thought of that before you had those 3 kids. scrounger. No extra money coming your way. What's going to happen to your children if you aren't given any money to feed them? I am imagining they will be taken off you and put in care. What kind of society allows that to happen?

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/07/child-benefit-conservatives-jeremy-hunt

I am very up for some kind of protest - at all these family centred cuts - there's a lot of us on here - we can make a difference

I'm in. Not in London though, so can co-ordinate Central Scotland branch if needed.

Co-ordinated protests in diff areas ?

specific and high profile

I am Manchster

The bit about surestart is bad, but the rest is about cutting what the higher earners get - would you rather they took it from the low earners?

I find this all a bit bizarre.

I'm in, I said on another thread we need to do something.

Just wait till the 20th, I'm sure our perspective will change then.

"Pensioners and the childless remain unscathed so far"

Other than of course VAT rises and the fact the over 75s are disproportionately impacted by the cuts in care and public services.

It is also very much a 'so far' thing, we have yet to hear about all the measures.

I remember seeing all the protests in Greece and wondering what on earth can be done if the money just isn't there.

I have no idea what the answer is but I know I would really like it to be for us all, whatever our stage of life and family position to have some compassion for everyone else but I know that sounds namby-panby.

For most of these cuts we have a couple of years to work out the best way forward, be that to protest or to make arrangements for ourselves and our communities or both.

Fwiw, I'm not a Tory, in fact I've just started trying to make moves to join the Co-op party (A sister party to Labour).

prepares to be shot down in flames

Oops, I didn't mean that bit to come in bold, sorry.

But the child trust funds and Health in pregnancy grants were about the biggest waste of money in the known universe. I can't be the only one not sad to see them go. I'll march under the banner 'Dave is a smug twat' though.

Lol Booboo

When was the last time a march or protest actually made the government change their mind?

exactly.

Count me in!

I think protesting to your MP, particularly if he/she is Con or Lib is the way to go, makes us look less hysterical.

Remember, Labour did have to eventually back down on scrapping childcare vouchers and find ways to make up for the 10% tax band removal.

and me

Can we add in that carer's Allowance looks set to be made part of the universal credit and therefore means tested so middle class carers willc ease to get it?

Whole system is a mess frankly.

I;d gladly hand my whole ctf back but the tightening up of DLA rules is scaring me- they're finding lots of children not eligible now yet it doesn't cure them does it? Just emans the family lose their income (luckily- if you can call it that- I have two disabled children so ds3's income is secure for another nioen eyars as he ahs beena ssessed until 16; ds1, the mroe difficult, is due June)

I don;t know honestly if I can get to London to protest becuase obviously the boys are ahrd to cover, but I merrily try. Absolutely. the Government cuts seem to be throwing over those who find ti hardest to protest (people with kids toc are for) and vague enough that every protest- whsilt you know it will happen- ends up being couched in terms of what seems to be tha case, or hinted at...

And it's not even as if we have any power at all: doesn;t matter what they take, I still can't get the boys into childcare. And I cnnot find a part time job in school hours.

And yes amrches may not work, but I want the kids to see they ahve a voice and don't have to roll over and take it....

There will be many marches coming up - I think a Mumsnet contingent on a big anti-cuts march would be fabulous.
For just a couple of examples:

? Weds 20 Oct, 5pm, protest the spending review, Lincolns Inn Fields, London

? Sat 23 Oct, 11am, Trade Union march against the cuts, RMT HQ39 Chalton Street, London

I am in the North East, and would like to join. There will be plenty of matches here.

My DH was asking how the Mumsnet revolution is going, and I had to tell him that it is hard to organise something that is high profile, family friendly and part time.

And for anyone in Brighton:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=115148898535213

If people are thinking of doing this do make sure you are clear exactly what you are protesting or there will be further lampooning like this

There is a FB page about a protest, but only 13 people on it so far, we need more!!
Its called 'UK Child Benefit Protest'

Grabs marching boots and Hip flask I'm there! I also have a spare room (well almost) for any MNetter in need of a bed for the night! I'm in Surrey with good train links!