ACT NOW ON COST CRISIS
THOUSANDS of workers took to the streets of London yesterday over the cost of living crisis.
Protesters from all over the UK cheered and chanted as they marched to Parliament to call for action. Some danced as songs including Money, Money, Money, 9 to 5 and I Need A Dollar were played through speakers.
The We Demand Better demo was organised by the Trades Union Congress, which wants a “decent” pay rise for the public sector and a £15 minimum wage.
Clair Robertson, 40, from Hertfordshire, was there with her sevenyear-old son after finding out she is out of work at the end of the month.
She said: “I’m on maternity leave so I’m going to lose all my benefits. It’s chaotic, a nightmare.” The mum of three, whose job is helping people at a Jobcentre, added: “Boris Johnson said he thinks we need more of a hands-off approach to job hunting, so he’s added his own staff to the unemployed.”
Also there was Uber driver Ali Haydor, who said he is now spending £60-70 extra each week to fill his car.
The father of three said: “As a parent, we cut back ourselves to make sure our kids are provided for.”
Asda worker Julie Shaw, 57, who travelled from Hull, said: “People we work with can’t afford to feed their kids or pay their rent.
“We think the Prime Minister should go. We’re all on minimum wage.
“We’ve had to tighten our belts but it was tight before. Electricity and gas bills have doubled. We’re dreading winter, we won’t be able to put the heating on.” And Ben Robinson, 25, who works for a housing charity in Brixton, south London, said some residents are facing a choice “between feeding their kids and paying rent and heating”.
He added: “That is just not a choice anyone should have to face.”
Also at the demo were Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner and TUC General Secretary Frances O’grady.
Ms O’grady told the Sunday People: “The spirit here is uplifting. Tens of thousands are here.
“The Government is two-faced. It’s talking about key workers being heroes during the pandemic but now it’s saying they have to be martyrs as well by taking a pay cut. It’s unjust. It sticks in the throat, really.”