Protest rallies and marches are set to take over Plymouth's city centre today
It's because campaigners are unhappy about the cost of living crisis.
Protest rallies and marches are set to take-over Plymouth City centre today (Saturday).
Local welfare groups are joining with trades unions and climate activists to challenge the new Government economic policies.
On the first day of October, home fuel prices are set to double, with many afraid they will not be able to pay for heating. A number of campaign groups, including “Don’t Pay” and “Enough is Enough” have launched campaigns looking to protect people from inflation and poverty.
A rally condemning the cost-of-living crisis will be held at the Guildhall Square, Armada Way at 12 midday - followed by a banner march through the city centre.
Tony Staunton, President of Plymouth’s Trade Union Council explained:
“This Autumn represents a turning point. Inflation is continuing at 10% with rent and mortgage repayments rising to unaffordable levels as interest rates rise and incomes continue to fall. This is the time to protest!”
A number of trade unions are taking strike action on Saturday. Rail worker’s unions - ASLEF, RMT and TSSA will be on strike with picket lines at Plymouth Railway Station, whilst postal workers from Royal Mail and Parcelforce are taking strike action, with more unions joining strike action in the following weeks.
He added:
“The working class is coming together to demand action over low pay and cuts to welfare. The unelected government of Truss and Kwarteng have given billions of pounds to the super-rich and corporations and cut our living standards, all the time with a smile on their face”, said Mr Staunton. “We’re fighting back! This is clearly a class war”.
Leader of the Railworkers union, the RMT, Mick Lynch is supporting demonstrations in Plymouth and across the country:
“Fair pay, affordable bills, enough to eat and a decent place to live. These aren’t luxuries – they are your rights!”
A number of trade unions and community organisations have started the “Enough Is Enough” campaign determined to push back against the misery forced on millions by rising bills, low wages, food poverty, shoddy housing – and a society run only for a wealthy elite.
The campaign has 5 demands: A real pay and benefits rise; Slash energy bills; End food poverty; Decent homes for all and Tax the rich to pay for investment in jobs and services.
In Plymouth, the Rally will include members of the Don’t Pay Campaign, calling for a million people to refuse to pay the inflated charges for electricity and gas, building for a national campaign on non-payment.
Climate Activists are also set to join the cost-of-living march, calling for an emergency change away from reliance on gas and oil and to much cheaper renewables for electricity. The Just Stop It Coalition are set to protest in centres across London, whilst Extinction Rebellion are planning fresh national actions from October 14th.
A Government spokesperson said:
“The Government has taken decisive action to shield households and businesses from these global price rises. The Energy Price Guarantee will save the average household £1,000 per year on their energy bills, on top of the government £400 discount which kicks in from 1 October.
“Taxes have also been cut for everyone, there are more employees on the payroll than ever before, and changes to Universal Credit will help working households keep more of what they earn.”
A Treasury Spokesperson said:
“Countries around the world are facing rising costs, driven by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, and we know this is affecting people here in the UK.
“That is why we have taken decisive actions to hold down bills with the Energy Price Guarantee, which will save the average household £1000 a year for the next two years.
“In addition, 8 million of the most vulnerable households will get at least £1,200 of additional cost-of-living support this year – meaning they will be eligible for support which exceeds the average rise in energy bills by hundreds of pounds.
“And we’ve cut taxes for everyone, including changes to Universal Credit to help working households keep more of what they earn”