Tommy Sheridan today called on the voters to put people first and reject Alistair Darling's budget. Solidarity have joined Tony Benn, George Monbiot, MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, MEPs Jill Evans and Caroline Lucas and Trades Union branches across the UK, in supporting the People Before Profit Charter peoplebeforeprofit.wordpress.com/ .  Sheridan said:

"New Labour allow billionaires to avoid paying tax altogether and all of the budget measures are aimed at businesses and banks with Darling, Mandelson and Brown clearly stating their only interest is in getting the people to borrow more and spending more, which is partly where this all started.  It's time to stop squandering billions on wars and weapons and redistribute the wealth from the rich to the poor."

The People Before Profit Charter calls for action to tackle the problems where they matter, in workplaces and homes, with an increase in the minimum wage and pensions and windfall taxes on the corporations who hide their profits off-shore.  It also calls for an end to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the continued privatisation of public services.  Solidarity voted unanimously to support the charter at this month's annual conference

1. Wage increases no lower than the rate of inflation as given by the Retail Price Index. No to the government’s 2 percent pay limit.
2. Increase tax on big companies. Introduce a windfall tax on corporation superprofits, especially those of the oil companies.
3. Repeal the Tory anti-union laws. Support the Trade Union Freedom Bill.
4. Unsold houses and flats should be taken over by local councils to ease the housing crisis. No house repossessions. For an emergency programme of council house building.
5. Stop the privatisation of public services. Free and equal health and education services available to all.
6. End the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and use the money to expand public services. Stop the erosion of civil liberties.
7. Abolish tax on fuel and energy for old people and the poor. Re-establish the link between wages and pensions.
8. No to racism. No to the British National Party. No scapegoating of immigrants.
9. Reintroduce grants and abolish tuition fees for students.
10. Increase the minimum wage to £8.00 an hour.