PROTESTERS are set to express their anger over the UK’s cost of living crisis with a demonstration targeting the Westminster government’s Scottish HQ.
On Saturday, members of the public are invited to a protest outside Queen Elizabeth House, hosted by the People’s Assembly.
READ MORE: Edinburgh's local authority confirms April council tax rise
The non-partisan campaign group, which focuses on fighting austerity, cuts and privatisation, is hosting cost of living protests across the UK this weekend.
Rallying with the slogan “we can’t pay”, protesters will take to the streets in cities across the four nations. There will also be a demo held in Glasgow’s George Square.
Both the Edinburgh and Glasgow protests will kick off at 1pm. No speakers have been confirmed for the capital city, but in Glasgow the line-up will include STUC general secretary Roz Foyer, Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti, SNP MP Tommy Sheppard (above) and Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba.
In response to the crisis facing the UK, the People’s Assembly says it is calling for a wealth tax, public ownership of energy, affordable green energy, action to help those at risk of destitution above all “radical political change” putting ordinary people first.
It comes as National Insurance is set to rise, energy bills expected to soar and food prices go up thanks to supply chain disruption and a major shortage of HGV drivers, linked to Brexit.
Now inflation is also rising fast, and is expected to hit 7% by the spring according to the Bank of England.
READ MORE: No Brexit benefits, Scotland Food and Drink chief tells UK Government
On top of that, those in the rental market are facing higher costs, mortgage rates are on the up, petrol costs are still high and council taxes are set to be increased after the freeze was lifted.
Households are expected to be around £1000 worse off this year than they were last year as a result.
On Tuesday, a new poll revealed that more than two-thirds of Scots are worried about affording their energy bills in 2022.
The research, released on Wednesday, was carried out days before energy regulator Ofgem revealed that fuel bills will typically rise by £693 a year in the UK from April as it raised the price cap.
Scotland’s Energy Secretary, Michael Matheson, has warned there is a “real risk” people could die in the months ahead as the country faces a major increase in energy prices.
READ MORE: Alyn Smith: Boris Johnson doing nothing to stop cost of living crisis in UK
The Advice Direct Scotland research asked people how worried they were about being able to afford their energy bills this year, with the price cap due to be increased.
Seven in 10 (70%) of the 1008 respondents said they were either very worried or quite worried.
Among those rationing their energy usage, 29% said they often feel cold in their own home as a result and 57% said they sometimes do.
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