{"id":39878,"date":"2022-02-17T12:10:31","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T12:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shefnews.co.uk\/?p=39878"},"modified":"2022-02-17T12:10:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T12:10:31","slug":"sheffield-campaigners-take-a-stand-against-cost-of-living-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2022\/02\/17\/sheffield-campaigners-take-a-stand-against-cost-of-living-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield campaigners take a stand against cost of living crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Campaigners from various Sheffield groups protested against the soaring cost of living prices outside the Town Hall last Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n

The People\u2019s Assembly and Sheffield Trade Union Council organised the demonstrations against increased inflation and a spike in food, energy and electricity prices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carrie Hedderwick from the People\u2019s Assembly said: \u201cPrices have gone up exponentially because corporations and big companies have tried to get their money back and they push wages down.<\/span><\/p>\n

“When you collectively organise, you win. You have got to fight and push back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Crowd at the protest on Saturday. Photo credits: Extinction Rebellion Sheffield<\/p><\/div>\n

Energy bills will increase more than a half according to Ofgem while the inflation rate is forecast to hit seven per cent in April, which<\/span>\u00a0 broke the record increase from three decades ago, according to government research figures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holly Johnston of NHS Workers Say No, said at the protest: \u201cIt is people like us that have kept this country going and it is those who are paying for these prices with our physical and mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe should not have to choose between heating our homes or feeding our families.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from energy bills, food and non-alcoholic drink prices have also risen while wages remained stagnant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Low-income households will be the hardest hit as energy and food comprises a majority of their spending.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ms Johnston said: \u201cThe health of the poor people are getting worse. The UK needs a pay rise, and the cost of living crisis is a public health issue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The withdrawal of the \u00a320 Universal Credit uplift last year resulted in a \u00a320 fall in income for over four million families.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo credits: Extinction Rebellion Sheffield<\/p><\/div>\n

Ci Davis of the Extinction Rebellion said at the demonstration: \u201cThere is a term used to describe people who are unable to afford basic essentials. It is called destitution.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt should be unfamiliar to people who are living in the fifth largest economy. But it is well known to millions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result of the rising food and fuel prices, inflation and national insurance increases, this word will ring in the ears of one million more people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced an Energy Bills Rebate worth nine billion pounds to aid the crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Millions of households will receive \u00a3350 followed by the energy price cap.<\/span><\/p>\n