“Lis Truss’s new conservative government promised immediate action to tackle the crisis, but last week’s announcement of tax cuts aimed at the wealthy has fueled more anger and misunderstanding than anything else,” writes Agence France-Presse.
Protesters gathered in Westminster in central London today, responding to calls from various organisations, carrying placards with messages such as “support strikes”, “freeze prices, not people” or “taxes for the rich”.
Campaigner Lily Holder, 29, said “people are fed up” and “the winter – which promises to be harsh as many families struggle to pay their bills – will show the true cruelty of the government”.
“I can’t pay, I won’t pay,” protesters chanted outside King’s Cross station as they burned reproductions of electricity bills.
Climate activists from the protest group Just Stop Oil blocked several bridges in London and called on the Conservative government to “solve the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis by stopping further investment in oil and gas”.
The Conservatives meet in Birmingham for their annual conference from Sunday, and according to the British press, letters against Lis Truss are already pouring in.
“Some conservatives were surprised by his inaccurate budget announcements, while others are already missing former prime minister Boris Johnson, despite his antics and lies,” reports France-Presse.
According to the French news agency, the “mini-budget” presented by the government last week was coldly greeted by most Britons.
The announcements panicked markets and sent the pound sterling to all-time lows, prompting intervention by the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England.
Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said Friday that “doing nothing is not an option” to justify the massive tax cuts.
“Imagine the cost to the UK economy of mass unemployment, falling consumption and closing businesses,” he said.
Kwarteng pledged a plan to reduce debt over the medium term, but ratings agency Standard & Poor’s was skeptical, revising its forecast to hold British sovereign debt downward.
Protest mobilizations, which have escalated since June in all sectors, have resumed after a ceasefire observed on September 8 following the death of Elizabeth II.
Jean Rhys is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. Her work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.