Thousands protest in London over low pay and the soaring cost…

‘Tories out!‘ — With inflation now at a 40-year-high of 9 per cent, demonstrations organised by TUC took place to demand action from the government.

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.