Thousands to take part in 'Enough is Enough' protests today
The protests today are aimed at highlighting the impact of the cost-of-living crisis
Protests are happening in more than 50 cities and towns across the UK today as part of a national day of action on the cost of living crisis.
Union leaders and stars of the screen and stage will join thousands of people at the series of protests.
Campaign group Enough is Enough is holding a national day of action, with events across the country including in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Newcastle, Hull, Norwich, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Bristol.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper, will be speaking at the Manchester rally alongside Lamin Touray, who played footballer Ashley Hardcastle on the street.
Newcastle’s event has been backed by Si King, one half of the Hairy Bikers, as well as poet Tom Pickard.
Award-winning comedian Rob Delaney will join the Rail Maritime and Transport union’s Mick Lynch and Dave Ward of the Communication Workers Union, at the London event.
Rob Delaney said: “Does a chief executive need an extra zero at the end of their salary, or should nurses, posties and teachers be able to heat their homes this winter? Enough is enough.”
Former Coronation Street actor Lamin Touray said: “I saw the Enough is Enough campaign and just thought, that’s exactly what everyone is feeling.
“I don’t think anyone remembers when times have been this hard. (The) Government needs to sit up and listen to the people – it can’t go on like this.”
Hairy Biker, chef and presenter, Si King said: “Millions of hardworking people and families across our country are being forced into poverty and utter desperation due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“We have a system that favours corporate power and wealth over normal people. Those in power have neither the will nor the empathy to change it.”
The protests will coincide with picket lines being mounted by railway workers outside major stations across the country as part of the latest strike in the long running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
Cost of Living crisis
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.