Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham was front and centre in a campaign event in protest against the Government’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis.

The Enough is Enough campaign came to Manchester Cathedral yesterday evening (August 30).

The headline speakers alongside Mr Burnham at the launch rally included Labour MP for Coventry South Zarah Sultana and prominent members of the trade union movement Assistant General Secretary of RMT Eddie Dempsey and General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union Dave Ward.

Enough is Enough have five key demands of the Government, which they believe will help turn the tide against the crisis.

The five demands are:

  1. A Real Pay Rise.
  2. Slash Energy Bills.
  3. End Food Poverty.
  4. Decent Homes for All.
  5. Tax the Rich.

The pressure group has gained over half a million supporters since its launch three weeks ago.

Speaking to Channel 4 News outside the cathedral he said: “I go round this city all the time. People are scared. They don’t know how they’re going to get through.

“I hear of people who have every single electrical appliance turned off in their home. The freezer turned off. They are living by just cooking via the microwave.

“More of the same isn’t good enough.

“People’s resilience is already low. Their mental health is low. How are people going to get through?”

Mr Burnham stopped short of condoning people not paying their bills, as it would be irresponsible of him as it could lead to more debt.

Speaking to Sky News’ Kay Burley earlier in the day, Mr Burnham discussed public ownership of energy and other companies.

“There is certainly the case for more public control and more public ownership of essential utilities,” he said.

“I’ve been listening to the leadership debates over the summer and they’ve both been promising more Thatcharism and, as far as I’m concerned, that is what got us into the mess we’re in right now.

“We sold off the water, sold of the electricity, sold off the gas, sold off the council homes, sold off the buses, sold off the trains. We’ve found ourselves in a position where ordinary people can’t afford those basics anymore. Those essentials.

“Change is needed in the way that we provide those essential services.

“This isn’t just talk. I’ve taken the decision to put buses back under public control in Greater Manchester after 36 years of deregulation.

“On Monday we will introduce a fare cap in Greater Manchester – a cap of £2 on a single adult fare.

“We are taking steps that we can.”

 

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