The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
People from all walks of life rally together in protest at cost of living
Albert Square in Dundee was the setting on Saturday afternoon for a protest against the rising cost of living.
Trade unionists, foodbank workers, students and more gathered to protest the Uk-wide issue set to affect every household in Tayside and Fife.
Speakers urged people to demand better for the city, amid fears the most vulnerable in society could be hit the hardest.
Various institutions have already warned rising bills could spell a “nightmare scenario” as early as spring.
Councillors and activists joined the rally in solidarity with those already struggling.
Labour councillor for Lochee Charlie Malone said: “In November, I talked about a tsunami of financial crises coming to hit working class people.
“And what we’ve seen is beyond what we expected.
“The energy costs increase, the food inflation, National Insurance tax – these are really going to cripple families.
“So it is really important that we start the campaign and say we’ve got to look for an alternative.
“There’s got to be a change. People are struggling now and prices are still going up.
“I see the levels of poverty that are here now and I can’t bear to think how these families are going to cope going forward.”
The previous cap on energy prices meant companies could not pass on higher costs to customers during a cold winter where stored gas supplies dropped.
Around 20 energy suppliers collapsed in the UK as a result.
However, earlier this month energy regulator Ofgem announced a 54% rise in the cap. This means fuel bills will rise by around £693 a year in the UK from April. National Insurance payments are also set to rise in April, and the Bank of England has warned inflation could jump to more than 7% in the spring.
Dundee resident and local volunteer Valentine Scarlett, 65, joined the rally. She said: “I’m so angry with this government and the oil companies – they really do not care about the people who are struggling. How are people going to manage?
“I’ve volunteered in the foodbanks, I’ve seen what it’s like for people. When I worked in social work, we used to top up people’s meters for a fiver – you’d have to give them about a hundred pounds now.
“This is just horrendous and I’ve got no idea where it’s going to end.”
Dundee University and College Union (UCU) branch co-president Carlo Morelli spoke out at the protest about the hike in living costs and stagnant wages.
“The issue around this is a major cost of living crisis,” he said. “For a lot of people, it will be the first time in their lives they’ve seen something like this.
“Ordinary people should not be paying the price for a crisis not of their making.”
Representatives from across the political spectrum turned out in support of the protest.
Tanya Jones, Scottish Greens candidate for Coldside, said: “It’s important everyone comes together to see what’s happening and recognise the things that we can do together, even if we don’t agree on everything.”