Citizens UK Looks Forward to Working With the New Government

Citizens UK looks forward to working on the key issues in its People’s Manifesto with the new Government following the General Election results.

Neil Jameson, director, Citizens UK said:

“On Monday at our Accountability Assembly we were able to thank and recognise the commitments, which were raised at the 2010 Assembly attended by Cameron, Clegg and Brown, delivered on by the coalition government over the course of the last parliament.

“ Sajid Javid joined us on stage with the authority of his party leader, David Cameron, and received thanks for the work done to enshrine into law the ending of the detention of children for immigration purposes; a cap on the cost of credit; and for their work to support the increased implementation of the Living Wage across UK businesses.

“Now we look forward to working with the next government on the issues our members have democratically raised as key issues in their communities.”

Sajid Javid committed to work towards full implementation of the Living Wage across Whitehall and to discuss co-hosting an annual Living Wage awards with Citizens UK, echoing the commitment in the Conservative manifesto to encourage businesses and other organisations to pay the Living Wage whenever they can afford it.

He also agreed to set up meetings with relevant Conservative Ministers (including the Prime Minister) for Citizens UK Working Groups on the Community Finance Foundation, Indefinite Detention, and Social Care.

Whilst Labour and the Liberal Democrats, amongst other commitments, both pledged to end indefinite detention; to pay the Living Wage to all employed in central government Whitehall departments and their agencies within twelve months; and to develop a national accreditation scheme for the training and professional development of care workers.

Neil Jameson continues:

“Citizens UK members have been working with parliamentary candidates across the country to bring key social justice issues to the fore in the lead up to the election.

“We have also been working hard to register 50,000 first time voters after concerns were raised that millions of young people could miss out on their chance to vote following changes to the electoral registration system. I’m delighted that turn out is reported to have increased to 58% at this election.

“Voting is just the first step; we must wake up to our obligations as citizens and become better organised in our communities, encourage more institutions to join the alliance of Citizens UK, so together we can continue to play our part in public life and work together for the common good.

“Now we have to deliver on our side of the commitment, from signing up people to join their local credit union, to training dementia friends or supporting local Living Wage businesses, as well as holding politicians and their parties to account.”