Thousands protest in London over the cost of living crisis
- Text by Huck
- Photography by Aiyush Pachnanda
![Thousands protest in London over the cost of living crisis](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/DSC01759.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
On Saturday (18 June), thousands of people took to the streets of London to protest the soaring cost of living in Britain in a rally organised by Trades Union Congress (TUC). The march in central London came ahead of major rail strikes now underway after talks failed to resolve a dispute over pay, job cuts and workers’ conditions.
Research by TUC showed some workers had lost almost £20,000 since 2008 because pay has not kept pace with inflation, which has now reached a 40-year-high of nine per cent. The union has called for a “decent pay rise for public sector workers” and a £15 minimum wage.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised for his response to the cost of living crisis. Inflation in Britain and across Europe has been surging, as the war in Ukraine crimped supplies of energy and food staples like wheat. But prices were already rising before the war, with Covid-19 devastating particularly those on the lowest incomes and in insecure work. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £15 million package of support to help tackle the rising cost of living – but critics say that this does not go far enough.
Beginning in Portland Place, the protesters walked to Parliament Square, carrying signs which read: “end fuel poverty, insulate homes now” and “cut war not welfare”. Videos on social media saw crowds booing as they passed 10 Downing Street.
Photographer Aiyush Pachnanda was there to capture the action.
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01604.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01617.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01622.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01630-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01641.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01638-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01666.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01680-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01719.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01738-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01755-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01759.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01876.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01861-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01822.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01814.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01789.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01887-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01899.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01917.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01927-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01941-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01943-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01945.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC02005-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC02021-scaled.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC02034.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Follow Aiyush Pachnanda on Instagram.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Latest on Huck
![Autism cannot be cured — stop trying](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/shutterstock_2322534063.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Autism cannot be cured — stop trying
A questionable study into the ‘reversal’ of autism does nothing but reinforce damaging stereotypes and harm, argues autistic author Jodie Hare.
Written by: Jodie Hare
![Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Hashem-Shakeri-from-the-series-_Staring-into-the-Abyss_.-%C2%A9-Hashem-Shakeri.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition
After the success of it’s inaugural run, the festival returns this autumn with exhibitions, education and community programmes exploring a world in constant motion through still image.
Written by: Ben Smoke
![Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/web-Eyanna-has-always-been-Maliks-primary-caregiver.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence
New photobook ‘Say Less’ is a complex yet humanising look into a life wrecked by gun violence and organised crime.
Written by: Isaac Muk
![The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/7_ULTRAMAGNETIC-MCS_NYC-1990.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography
A new exhibition brings together Janette Beckman’s visionary and boundary pushing images of an era of cultural change and moral panic.
Written by: Miss Rosen
![In photos: the dogs of Dogtown](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/saguy_dogtown_02_RGB.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
In photos: the dogs of Dogtown
A new photobook documents Venice Beach’s four legged friends and their colourful cast of owners.
Written by: Isaac Muk
![Inside the battle to stop coal](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/DSC00173.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Inside the battle to stop coal
As the legal challenge against Britain’s first deep coal mine in 30 years reaches the High court, we talk to activists at the centre of the fight to stop it.
Written by: Ben Smoke