‘Biggest, most united’ protest yet planned over cost-of-living crisis
Thousands of people are to take to the streets across Britain in a ‘Can’t Pay’ protest against crippling bills hitting workers and their families.
The People’s Assembly said it will be the ‘biggest, most united’ voice it has ever mobilised as inflation continues to spike.
One demonstration will be held outside the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Birmingham in October, followed by a national event in London in November.
The group organised a huge protest in February against the mounting cost-of-living crisis when energy prices started to rocket.
Placards were waved in Parliament Square demanding ‘Tax the rich’ and declaring: ‘We can’t pay for the crisis.’
Campaigners are now calling for utilities to be nationalised, company profits to be cut and ‘anti-union’ laws scrapped.
A spokesperson said: ‘As the Tory government prepares to ram through even more draconian anti-union laws to prevent workers taking action to defend themselves from “fire-and-rehire” and the cost-of-living crisis, we are all facing the fight of our lives.
‘Millions of households are already struggling to pay for basics such as food, housing and energy. Average household energy bills are predicted rise to £4,200 a year this winter.
‘The Bank of England now officially forecasts economic recession and higher inflation for most of 2023.
‘At the same time, we are seeing our incomes fall in real terms and we are living in a time of societal collapse.
‘But not everyone is struggling. Energy companies report record profits. Others, including supermarkets, transport firms and landlords are enjoying an absolute bonanza. Their profits and rents come from the pockets of ordinary people who are already struggling – even before winter comes.’
The People’s Assembly has also urged its supporters to back the increasing number of strikes in the UK, hailing walk-outs for helping achieve better pay, raising political consciousness and show what is possible when workers ‘collectively organise’.
It follows the news that UK workers’ pay plunged at the fastest rate for 20 years in June, with wage increases outstripped by soaring inflation and household bills.
The Office for National Statistics said the actual value of workers’ pay packets dropped by 3%, while the UK inflation rate has now hit double digits at 10.1%.
It could even soar to 15% by early next year, when energy bills are set to spiral to £5,000.
This also comes after the revelation that the cost of feeding a family per year is to rise by £533.
More than 108,000 people are now signed up to a ‘civil disobedience’ pledge run by Don’t Pay vowing not to give money to energy companies amid their record profits.
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