The government has just raised National Insurance contributions to pay for improved social care provision in the UK, this is one of the most unfair choices they could make.
National Insurance, as many will know, is a flat tax: meaning it does not take account of income, but rather is a standard increase for all.
This means all of the working population takes a share of the burden, but those workers who earn more pay a smaller percentage of their take home pay.
Many have argued that this will hit the young hardest, as they are normally on the lowest incomes and do not necessarily benefit as directly from the tax rise.
This argument misses the point somewhat, this tax will disproportionately burden all low paid workers, while those earning more will take a lighter hit.
Income tax and/or capital gains tax would have been a fairer way of distributing this load, asking for a more significant contribution from those most able to pay.
I asked a young security guard who lives locally what he thought of the tax rise and he said while he was initially a bit sad he recognises the need for the tax to protect vulnerable groups and him in his old age.
When I suggested they could have taxed income instead of National Insurance he indicated that they would never do this.
He was being huge!
While I applaud his community mindedness, I do not think that the burden for this crisis should be landing so heavily on his shoulders.
The government should ask from people who have the greatest means to pay progressively, it is the fairest and most sustainable way to fund the welfare state.
Shami Chakrabarti and Bell Ribeiro Addy were among the speakers at the rally. The organisation of speakers was a little shambolic, as two sets spoke concurrently for no apparent reason on the same subject.
The demonstration then made its way to Trafalgar Square. Where they were permitted to share space with a Haitian event already rallying at the Square.
As they rallied a demonstration of thousands protesting the current situation in Afghanistan passed the Square and proceeded down Whitehall with signs that read: Save Afghan Women and Stop a Proxy Afghanistan War.
Protesters demonstrating about the situation in Afghanistan
Had it not been raining I wonder if turn out for all the different events may have been larger. Although perhaps the police bill and the situation in Afghanistan feel like a done deal to many.
