Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Today's News Release
Allerdale Campaigners take part in Nationwide day of Action
Saturday 11 October
Embargo: for immediate release
Contact: Mark Hayhurst
Concerned people from Workington and across Allerdale take to the streets against ‘dangerous pact’ with US
Locals ask MEPs to protect the NHS from secretive trade pact
Local people gathered this Saturday in Workington town centre to take part in a day of action against an international trade deal which they say could put the NHS at risk. [Photo of six out of a dozen campaigners attached]
The campaigners, members of campaign group 38 Degrees, are asking local MEPs where they stand on the controversial trade deal between the EU and US.
The agreement – the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – would force the NHS open to competition from American private healthcare providers. The deal is also set to allow multinational businesses to sue the government if British laws dent their profits.
Critics say this would expose the government to lawsuits if it tried to take privatised health services back into public ownership.
More than 180,000 people have already signed a 38 Degrees petition against the deal.
This Saturday’s event in Workington centre coincided with a Europe-wide day of action to increase pressure on the EU to fix or scrap the pact.. Campaigners spoke to local residents about the growing concern about the deal and collected petition signatures calling for an end to the deal.
It follows a local protest in Workington this August, when campaigners from Allerdale joined 10,000 people nationwide to collect signatures for the 38 Degrees petition against the deal.
Mark Hayhurst, who was at the day of action in Workington this Saturday says: ”If TTIP is passed, it will allow big corporations to sue our Government if their profits are damaged by any laws protecting Britain’s health. Local people are understandably worried at the secret nature of the TTIP negotiations and were keen to express their concern.
Local 38 Degrees members across Allerdale will continue to leaflet to raise awareness of the effects of TTIP on our NHS and other services.”
David Babbs, executive director at 38 Degrees, says: “It’s no surprise that thousands of people are taking to the streets again against this terrible deal. 38 Degrees members are spreading the word to force TTIP out of backroom negotiations and into the spotlight.
“The NHS is being used as a bargaining chip in a decision made behind closed doors. It’s time for MEPs to answer our concerns and explain exactly what they’re going to do to stop this.”
Ends
Notes to editors
1. With 3 million members, 38 Degrees is one of the UK’s biggest campaigning organisations. 38 Degrees brings you together with other people to take action on the issues that matter to you and bring about real change in the UK.
2 . Members of the public http://ttipaction.38degrees.org.uk/
Saturday 11 October
Embargo: for immediate release
Contact: Mark Hayhurst
Concerned people from Workington and across Allerdale take to the streets against ‘dangerous pact’ with US
Locals ask MEPs to protect the NHS from secretive trade pact
Local people gathered this Saturday in Workington town centre to take part in a day of action against an international trade deal which they say could put the NHS at risk. [Photo of six out of a dozen campaigners attached]
The campaigners, members of campaign group 38 Degrees, are asking local MEPs where they stand on the controversial trade deal between the EU and US.
The agreement – the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – would force the NHS open to competition from American private healthcare providers. The deal is also set to allow multinational businesses to sue the government if British laws dent their profits.
Critics say this would expose the government to lawsuits if it tried to take privatised health services back into public ownership.
More than 180,000 people have already signed a 38 Degrees petition against the deal.
This Saturday’s event in Workington centre coincided with a Europe-wide day of action to increase pressure on the EU to fix or scrap the pact.. Campaigners spoke to local residents about the growing concern about the deal and collected petition signatures calling for an end to the deal.
It follows a local protest in Workington this August, when campaigners from Allerdale joined 10,000 people nationwide to collect signatures for the 38 Degrees petition against the deal.
Mark Hayhurst, who was at the day of action in Workington this Saturday says: ”If TTIP is passed, it will allow big corporations to sue our Government if their profits are damaged by any laws protecting Britain’s health. Local people are understandably worried at the secret nature of the TTIP negotiations and were keen to express their concern.
Local 38 Degrees members across Allerdale will continue to leaflet to raise awareness of the effects of TTIP on our NHS and other services.”
David Babbs, executive director at 38 Degrees, says: “It’s no surprise that thousands of people are taking to the streets again against this terrible deal. 38 Degrees members are spreading the word to force TTIP out of backroom negotiations and into the spotlight.
“The NHS is being used as a bargaining chip in a decision made behind closed doors. It’s time for MEPs to answer our concerns and explain exactly what they’re going to do to stop this.”
Ends
Notes to editors
1. With 3 million members, 38 Degrees is one of the UK’s biggest campaigning organisations. 38 Degrees brings you together with other people to take action on the issues that matter to you and bring about real change in the UK.
2 . Members of the public http://ttipaction.38degrees.org.uk/