First change: 01.10.2022 – 18:26 Last change: 01.10.2022 – 18:24
LONDON (AFP) – Thousands of Britons took to the streets on Saturday to protest the cost of living crisis as the government takes a somber view of its fiscal policy after a week of market chaos.
Inflation is at an all-time high, the British pound is at an all-time low and concerns are mounting as winter approaches.
Liz Truss’ new Conservative government has promised immediate action to deal with the crisis, but last week’s announcement of massive tax cuts for the wealthiest sparked even more anger and misunderstanding.
“Support the strikes”, “Freeze prices, not people” or “Taxes for the rich” read the banners of the demonstrators in London, who followed the call from various organizations to Westminster in the center of the capital.
People are “fed up,” says Lily Holder, a 29-year-old protester in London.
The winter – which promises to be tough for many Britons struggling to pay their bills – “will show the true cruelty of our government,” she says.
Most Britons reacted coolly to the “mini-budget” presented by the government last week. The announcements also shook markets, pushing sterling to its lowest level ever, prompting intervention from the International Monetary Fund and the Central Bank.
© 2022 AFP