‘THE GOVERNMENT ISN’T DOING ENOUGH TO HELP’ Demonstrators march against cost of living
DEMONSTRATORS marched through Newcastle yesterday in protest at the UK’S worsening cost of living crisis – with some pushed to voice their fear and anger in public for the first time.
Around 100 turned out for the People’s Assembly North East-organised demonstration to protest at the soaring cost of living as well as the shock sacking on March 17 of nearly 800 P&O crew without notice or consultation.
It was the third in a series of protests that have taken place across the UK since February, coordinated by the national branch of the People’s Assembly – which is fighting austerity, cuts and privatisation – and is supported by trade unions, community and campaign groups.
For some taking part in yesterday’s lunchtime protest in Newcastle, it was their first experience of airing their grievances at a public gathering. They told the Sunday
Sun they had been galvanised into action as the cost of living soared, pushing people who would never once have struggled financially towards poverty. Catherine Rooney, 62, from Sunderland, was one such first-time marcher who said she had felt compelled to make the trip from Wearside to Tyneside because “the Government isn’t doing enough; they’re not listening to the people.”
Whilst not facing
financial hardship herself, she said she felt morally she couldn’t “sit back and do nothing. People need to show some solidarity. The time has come to stand up; people need to be writing to their MPS, to their councillors, and be doing what they can to say they don’t agree with what is happening.”
Another lady who would only give her name as Gwen added: “What we have at the moment is a crisis, and it’s not one affecting just the very poor. Energy prices went up by 54% on April 1. It’s a staggering amount. That alone would push many people into financial hardship, but on top of that we’re all paying more for food, fuel, council tax and our utility bills, as well as National Insurance.
“I work, I have savings and I’m hopefully going to be OK. But I know people who are on low wages who are finding it difficult to cope and are struggling. That is what has attracted me to this demonstration today – to show my support for them.”
The Newcastle march wound its way in the early spring sunshine from the city’s Civic Centre along a packed Northumberland Street to Grey’s Monument – the traditional meeting place for protesters.
Organiser Tony Dowling of the People’s Assembly North East said the cost of living traditionally affects people more in this region as wages tend to be lower.
He said: “When your income and outgoings are finely balanced and energy goes up by 54% and your wages don’t rise to match the increase in the cost of living, it puts people in a very scary position.
“The Government has done nothing to allay people’s fears about the rising costs of energy and inflation in general.”
In a speech read out to demonstrators on behalf of Durham City Labour MP Mary Foy, who had been unable to attend the event in person, she said when the economy struggles and households are unable to meet the cost of living, “it’s the duty of the Government to help lift the pressure of ordinary people.”
She said the cost of living crisis is one of the biggest issues currently facing the people of this country. “Household and energy bills are out of control, the prices of petrol are skyrocketing and inflation is outstripping wages and welfare.”
She continued by saying April 1 would have been a “particularly difficult time for many” as the new energy prices kicked in.
Ms Foy added: “How do you explain to your children that you can’t afford to put the heating on or that the hour’s respite from the cold means no lunch today?”