NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE At the Celtic League AGM in Dublin this year some of the Cornish delegation focused on the very real problems ordinary Cornish people face finding accommodation and we also touched on the growth of food banks and general poverty caused by the austerity cuts in the UK. In Ireland as well over several years of draconian wage cuts and austerity measures including the introduction of water charges have impacted savagely on working people and those on very low incomes. Even Mann comparatively cocooned in recent years from the developing programme of austerity right across these Islands has not been untouched. A number of renegotiations of a VAT agreement with the UK have led to government income falling and as always it?s the lowest paid who get the worst deal. This year Mec Vannin focused forcefully on the government?s policy of taxation by stealth which hits the most vulnerable. Food banks are now an integral part of life in the Celtic countries. From Ireland to Scotland, Wales to Cornwall and also in Mann people are being stretched to breaking point. Recently the UK Chancellor George Osborne revealed another tranche of austerity which exacerbate the problems of homelessness and food poverty. I recently came across this video made by ordinary people in Cornwall about their plight and although it?s specific to that area it is a situation that is replicated all over the Celtic countries. The video was made a year ago so by now the problem will be much worse. The Celtic League campaigns hard on a wide range of issues and we have limited resources. However we must do what we can to step up our social programmes and highlight the way homelessness, low pay and food and fuel poverty are destroying our communities. The Video: (voir le site) —telling-it-like-it-is/ J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League 15/07/15 THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE The Celtic League was established in 1961and has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues (voir le site) Yahoo! Groups Share this!