Labour MPs and charity workers called on women to join in protests against the cuts at a public meeting to mark International Women’s Week on Saturday.
Karen Buck, frontbench spokeswoman for work and pensions, and Jeremy Corbyn were the first MPs to attend the Islington Labour Party women’s meeting in Andover Community Centre, normally designated as an afternoon discussion group for Andover Estate residents.
Catherine West, leader of Islington council, was also present, along with representatives of Unite Union, housing charity Shelter, and local advice agencies.
Ms West said: “We need more women to join and set up local grassroots groups to keep this vital voluntary work going. We were doing wonderful community work in churches, schools and mosques, which has to continue even though the money is not there.”
Mr Corbyn called on residents to join in the protest against the cuts on 26 March. He said: “One march won’t change everything, but if we do what we can do, things will start to change.”
Reseach by the Trade Union Council has shown that poorer families and single mothers are likely to be hit worst by recent budget cuts, such as the three-year freeze on child benefit or the cuts to children’s services like the Sure Start Centres.
Sarhra Abdillahi, who runs a support group for Somalian women in Islington, said: “When you feel a part of society you have to work with the community. Islington is a great place, and we have to work with the community to make everyone’s life easier.”
