Cost of Living March: Demonstrators take to the streets and demand action against skyrocketing prices

Crowds gathered at Portland Place in central London on Saturday morning for the We Demand Better march, carrying banners reading ‘Short War, Not Welfare’ and ‘End Energy Poverty, Isolate Homes Now’.

Hundreds of protesters march into Parliament Square, calling on the government to take action to help Britons survive the worst cost of living crisis in more than 40 years.

The “We Demand Better” march gathered large crowds at Portland Place in central London on Saturday morning before setting off at midday.

Protesters traveled to the capital from across the UK, with hundreds of coaches booked to transport them.

Some protesters carry banners that read ‘Short War, Not Welfare’ and ‘End Fuel Poverty, Isolate Homes Now’.

The crowd whistled, cheered and clapped as a blue torch was lit to mark the start of the march.

Loud music, including the songs 9 To 5, I Need A Dollar, and Money, Money, Money, was played from large speakers, and the congregation sang and danced along.

Ben Robinson, 25, who works for a housing association in Brixton, south London, and Frankie Brown, 24, a teacher, are both taking part in the protest.

Ms Brown said: “Every day I have children in my class who go home where they don’t have enough to eat.”

Mr Robinson said: “We have residents who come into our offices who choose to feed their own children, not themselves, their own children, and pay rent and heating and that’s just not a choice that everyone has should encounter in the fourth largest economy in the world.”

He added: “I don’t think the government takes enough credit for how bad things are going to be and really are for people, real people who don’t have enough money.

“And the growing disparity between the wealthiest in society and the other 99% of people who just don’t have enough to make ends meet, so hopefully that’s an outline, but who knows?”

Mr Robinson called the law “draconian” and said he hoped people would still come out to protest if it became law.

He told the PA news agency: “I’m afraid these things aren’t going to happen as often when the new Police and Crime Act comes in, so I think it’s important to get out now while we’re allowed.

“Obviously I think people should still be protesting despite this draconian bill, but to see this (turnout) today is amazing.”

Signs and banners reading “Nurses not nukes”, “Don’t get angry, get active” and “Free Assange” were on display.

The march will culminate in a rally in Parliament Square, expected to start at 1pm, with speakers including Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC, which is organizing the event.

The TUC says its research suggests workers have lost almost £20,000 since 2008 because wages have not kept pace with inflation.

The UK is facing its worst cost of living crisis in over 40 years as inflation soars and wages fall.

In April, inflation peaked at 9% while the energy price cap rose by 54%, water bills rose by an average of 1.7% and social security by 1.25%.

Food prices are also rising, with what? Last month, it was revealed that grocery inflation averaged 3.14%, but some of the most popular supermarket groceries had seen prices rise by over 20%.

The rising costs are having a devastating impact, with the National Institute for Economic and Social Research predicting that by next year more than 250,000 households could find themselves in poverty and 1.5 million households will struggle to pay for food and energy.