No matter what they say, or what you hear…very soon we are going to be charged for our public services.

That’s going to include water charges, reduced welfare benefits, an end to over 60’s travel passes, paying to see your GP, paying for your prescription charges, paying to have your bins emptied and cuts to services.

That may only be the tip off the iceberg. As the screw is turned on publicly funded services, then the arts, libraries, museums, leisure centres and parks all become potential targets for the withdrawal of funding or the introduction of charges.

The Assembly is finally up and running again. Despite what they say, and despite what they promise, they will bring in charges for many of our basic services.

Once again it will be working people and their families that will bear the brunt.

The money exists to fund and develop our public services . It can be made available. But the Tory government is  furthering its privatisation agenda and the run down of the public sector while advancing the interests of big businesses at our expense.

The Executive parties have been happy to lay the blame exclusively at Westminster’s door step, yet have taken no steps themselves to ensure the provision of public services.

Maintaining ‘peace’ walls across Northern Ireland costs £1.5 billion every year.

Segregated education costs us over £220 million annually. Relocating that money to address immediate social need would do for a start.

The way we are currently funded is no longer fit for purpose. It needs to be transformed and take account of people’s real needs.

We must stand up to cuts and charges on services and the Workers Party will be doing just that.

Only a class-based socialist economy can deliver for working class people. As we engage in the necessary battles, we must always remain focussed on that objective .