Protests over cost of living crisis as campaigners gather across UK

Campaigners have gathered in cities across the UK to demonstrate against the cost of living crisis.

Demonstrations co-ordinated by the People’s Assembly were held across the country on Saturday in protest at soaring living costs.

There have been calls for a windfall tax to be imposed on energy giants who are currently reaping huge profits.

It is estimated that typical gas and and electricity customers will see their bill go up by £139 to £1277 a year.

New protests being added daily!

Please keeping checking:https://t.co/iqmL9d1VhE for latest updates on protests near you.
Everyone out on the Streets this Saturday 12 Feb.

Let's show them what opposition looks like!#CostOfLivingCrisis #JohnsonOut15 pic.twitter.com/GupAbNLT9R
— People's Assembly (@pplsassembly) February 8, 2022

Last week, the Scottish Government announced that three quarters of households will be given £150 to help with the rising cost of household bills.

All households in council tax bands A to D will receive a payment or discount, as will those in other bands who already qualify for reduced rates, as part of a £290m support package.

Speaking at the demonstration on Saturday, Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney warned that the payment will not “touch the sides”, with bills spiking.

He told the Momentum Glasgow group: “When wages are stagnating, we’re seeing costs spiking and the governments are missing in action when people are crying out for help both at a Scottish and a UK level.

“We’re seeing them standing by giving paltry sums that are misdirected through council tax, £150 that are being given to households that do desperately need help.

“But (they) are also giving them to people who don’t need that extra support, who are already wealthy.

“We need to concentrate that money so we’re getting proper sums in, £150 isn’t going to touch the sides when bills are spiking £700.”

“We need to build and mobilise power and that starts in our workplaces.”

STUC General Secretary @RozFoyer the #CostOfLivingCrisis rally at George Square addressing the crowds. @pplsassembly pic.twitter.com/gO3AM8seWC
— STUC (@ScottishTUC) February 12, 2022

Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary Roz Foyer addressed the crowds gathered in Glasgow city centre.

She told campaigners: “The corporate bosses and the billionaires are not going to listen to us.

“They’re not going to share this country’s wealth unless we make them.

“So, we need to build a big, broad and angry alliance. We need to build and mobilise power and that starts in our workplaces and it starts in our communities.

“And we need to keep getting people out onto the streets in the weeks and months ahead until we build an alliance that is so big and so powerful that the politicians and the bosses won’t have a choice but to listen.”