A few weeks ago, Ken Loach appeared at a special fundraising night at Moston Miners in aid of the Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre (UCRC), which raised over £5,500. During his question and answer session, the I, Daniel Blake film director didn't hold back.
After talking about how to get into the film industry and his thoughts on it, Loach was asked by Lisa Scullion, Leader in Social Policy at Salford University, about whether the seminal I, Daniel Blake, which focussed on the barbaric affects of benefit sanctions, had made a difference to policy makers...
He replied that Labour Party MP Debbie Abrahams had been to see it and that the Party, not as a result of the film, had already decided that work capability assessments would stop and that 'punitive sanctions' would end.
"She knows I have a problem with this because what are sanctions if not punitive?" Loach asked "There's no such thing as a sanction which isn't 'punitive'. The clue is in the name 'sanction'...Paul Laverty, who wrote the script, and I both think financial sanctions have to end because what's the crime you're going to punish with hunger?
"What crime is so bad that you're going to starve people?" he added "Yes, if people are cheating there's got to be some way of accepting that and dealing with that...why not try those different kind of punishments on the tax dodgers? Let's see what works and then we'll apply it."
After a huge round of applause Loach recalled that the BBC asked if he would do a screening for previous Tory Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, which he refused to do... "If he doesn't know what's going on, he's incompetent; and if he does know what's going on, he's too brutal to be a minister..."
This was just one part of a 35 minute talk which took all in all aspects of Ken Loach's politics and approach to film making. Wilf Darlington, of BECTU, has now produced a film of the Q&A, which has been posted on YouTube. People are asked to watch and donate further to the Salford UCRC, which takes up cases for the homeless and those on benefit sanctions.
"The fundraiser was to support the Salford UCRC, and in particular the Salford Prison Project which was in danger of closing" says Alec McFadden, Centre Manager "The fact that Ken and his friends and, of course, our many friends performed free that night is a testament of the reputation and worth of the work of our Centre.
"Myself and all the staff volunteers and management committee are so proud of that night; over 450 attended and we raised over £5,560" he adds "Now we are giving those who were not maybe able to attend the chance to watch the Q&A with Ken and maybe make a donation."
"The Centre has advised and represented the vulnerable people of Salford for over 37 years, always free of charge" he explains "However our financial situation and high level of work created the need for this fundraiser, and we are just so pleased and proud of the response."
View the Salford UCRC Ken Loach film on YouTube – click here
Cheques can be made out to Salford OFFA and sent to SUCRC, 84/86 Liverpool Road, Eccles Salford M30 0WZ.
or pay directly into the SOFFA account number 59124555 sort code 60-83-01
For more details on Salford UCRC work see the website – click here
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