Brighton Socialist Discussion Group

Hundreds of people are dying in Brighton and Hove every year because of deprivation, a report reveals today.

Dr.Tom Scanlon, the city’s director of public health, said low income and unemployment was causing 500 extra people a year to die in the city. In his annual report published today he points out that one in six children across Brighton and Hove live in poverty - but this rises to one in three in the east of the city. He said welfare cuts combined with high housing costs had worsened poverty with homelessness rising and food poverty growing as the number of food banks rises sharply.

He said: “The two biggest drivers of inequality are income and employment. We have to move to a mind-set in the city where we are pushing up the opportunities for employment and not just any employment but employment that is remunerated properly. So employment that pays at least a living wage.”

Following the recent electoral activity in Brighton the interest shown has led to The Socialist Party forming a discussion group in the area. A very informal discussion will be held on the third Tuesday of each month, at least for the foreseeable future.  The next one taking place on Tuesday, 21 July at 7.30pm.  The venue will be the Brighthelm Community Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD.