Thousands protest in London over the cost of living crisis
- Text by Huck
- Photography by Aiyush Pachnanda
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.
Follow Aiyush Pachnanda on Instagram.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
You might like
A stark, confronting window into the global cocaine trade
Sangre Blanca — Mads Nissen’s new book is a close-up look at various stages of the drug’s journey, from production to consumption, and the violence that follows wherever it goes.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Venice Biennale will not award artists from Israel & Russia due to war crime accusations
Art Not Genocide — Both countries will still be allowed to exhibit work at their respective pavilions, but be excluded from judging considerations, as they have leaders facing arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
Written by: Noah Petersons
Confronting America’s history of violence against student protest
Through A Mirror, Darkly — In May 1970, two separate massacres at American college campuses saw deaths at the hands of the state. Naeem Mohaiemen’s new three-channel film memorialises the brutality.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Kneecap, Brian Eno, Erika de Casier sign Eurovision boycott letter protesting Israel’s involvement
No Music For Genocide — It calls upon the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel from the upcoming competition, which is set to take place in Vienna between May 12 and May 14. Other signatories include Massive Attack, Hot Chip and Nadine Shah.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
“Madness can be overcome”: Robert Del Naja releases statement after Palestine Action arrest
“Small price to pay” — The Massive Attack frontman was one of more than 500 people detained on Saturday on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, a group that has been banned under the Terrorism Act 2000 by the UK government.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Defiant photos of New York’s ’80s & ’90s queer activists
Arresting Images — Dona Ann McAdams’ photographs document the AIDS crisis, lesbian organising and civil disobedience from one of the most fraught eras in American LGBTQ+ history. A sale of her archive takes place later this month.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
