Labour Party conference supports wealth tax to help workers

Delegates at the Labour Party conference backed a motion supporting a wealth tax, on the second full day of the conference.

‘Rebuilding our Economy for Working People’, also known as Composite Motion 11, was moved by Unite and seconded by USDAW. It called for an “introduction of a wealth tax”, a windfall tax on banks and a “cut in household and industrial energy bills paid for by the profits of the big energy firms”.

Speaking at conference, Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham said there is a need for “real, transformative change that everyday people can feel and they can touch”.

The motion demands an end to the freeze on tax thresholds ‘to put more money into workers and pensioners pockets’.

Graham told conference: “Everyday people are asking, why is it ok that at the same time we’re told a wealth tax is ‘unworkable’, nurses, midwives, teachers, train drivers are being asked to pay 40% tax? Why is it OK that those on the state pension and Universal Credit are being pushed into a 20% tax band, while the elites are taking absolutely no responsibility? Where is the justice in that?”