Anger at spending plans united politicians, unions, communists and many more organisations from around the nation for a massive march to the outside of Downing Street on 7 June. The rally targeted the recent government plans to increase defence spending and limit welfare benefits, which has been seen by many as a return to austerity.
Politicians take stance in action against spending plans
The march was attended by MPs including Labour’s Diane Abbott and former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
On stage outside Downing Street, Corbyn said: “We are people with disabilities. We are people campaigning on environmental sustainability. We are people campaigning against poverty within our society […] and an end to the arms trade and arms sales.”
Corbyn also criticised the creation of further nuclear warheads and submarines by the UK, claiming it is against the international Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty.
The UK is set to increase the defence budget from 2.3% of government spending to 5%, amidst the perceived security threats from the Russian Federation. This coincides with decreased spending on welfare. According to the Spring Statement, the upcoming budget will “make welfare savings” of £4.8bn by 2029-2030, as well as tightening eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) which support those with long-term disabilities and conditions.
Taking to the same stage as Corbyn, Abbott called the action “an international struggle” against the rich and powerful.“ Abbott went on to express her concern over Keir Starmer’s view that immigration had done ‘incalculable damage’ to the UK and branded Starmer’s recent ‘island of strangers’ speech regarding immigration as “fundamentally racist.”
Birmingham activists denounce defence and welfare plans
Around a hundred people had come down from Birmingham from a multitude of organisations.
Founder of LGBT Socialist UK, Kim Taylor, relies on PIPs due to mental health conditions and will be impacted by the welfare cuts when reassessed next year. When interviewed, she stated: “For me, it seems they don’t see mental health the same as physical health. I’ve been terrified ever since I heard about it but to get the letter to confirm my worries has made me even more anxious. I’m not going to give up without a fight because there’s millions of people like me that depend on it.”
Stop the War Coalition’s Birmingham Secretary, Rob, organised a large contingent of the activists from the city, including holding a promotion event outside the Birmingham Bullring. In an interview, he criticised the defence spending planned by the government, saying that Russia hasn’t been able to get into Europe, even after their invasion of Ukraine back in 2022. and that to make the impression that Russia is somehow a threat to London is preposterous and dangerous.
Syrian peace activist, Anas Alayoubi, fled Syria in 2011 at the start of the country’s civil war to live in France initially. He now regularly sells flags and clothing outside of the Birmingham Bullring. He held a stall at the rally in several places along the march, including outside Downing Street.
Birmingham’s binmen speak out against government action on pay and conditions
Since the start of the year, Birmingham has experienced the UK’s largest ever refuse collection strike. According to the union, Unite, hundreds of its members are set to have their annual pay cut by up to £8,000. A major incident was declared in March when 17,000 tonnes of rubbish were left uncollected.
This discontent from the binmen saw them on stage outside Downing Street itself. Seven had arrived holding up their banner on stage.
Binman Mark Masters on stage criticised the multiple decisions made by Birmingham City Council, including budgets cuts that he said were: “the largest in local authority history,” also criticising Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner for not dismissing commissioners appointed by the previous Conservative government who have overseen Birmingham City Council since their bankruptcy in 2023.
“Enough is enough, why should we be made to pay for our employer’s mistakes and be forced into austerity? Let the fat cats pay out of the 5.7% pay rise they gave themselves. This strike has been compared to strikes of the past. I like to think this is the one that shapes our future.”
Another bin worker, Steeven Biset, said in an interview: “It was absolutely great. There was quite an outcry. Looked like there was a thousand people there, so yeah, it was quite impactful.”
Government makes some spending changes but defence plans remain
Since the march, the government has reversed its cuts to winter-fuel payments for three-quarters of pensioners – a U-turn that, according to the BBC, was driven by Labour’s poor results in the recent local elections. As for further spending, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has included a further 2.3% annual spending on police officers, 3% annual spending on the NHS, including 0.4% for schools in England and an increase in free school meals. Again, while the argument that there is a return to austerity is debatable, this doesn’t ignore the cuts to PIP and welfare, nor the issues surrounding situations such as Birmingham’s bin strikes, which may possibly last to December.
Despite the outcry of thousands of people, the government has no plans to cut defence spending anytime soon. The recent conflict between Israel and Iran has led to the UK sending more fighter planes to bases in the Middle East. Spending also includes further defence arrangements between the UK and Canada. Add in the perceived threat of Russia, and defence spending is unlikely to come down.
The government’s outlook may either change or maintain its controversial position. Whatever it does, it is not free from public scrutiny and reactions as this protest shows.
