A PROTEST against the rising cost of living was held in Bournemouth town centre, with a vocal group chanting “freeze the prices, not the poor”.

More than a dozen people held placards, signs, and voiced their anger at the large hike in living costs as part of many similar peaceful demonstrations taking place across the UK on Saturday, April 2.

Organised by the Dorset branch of the National People’s Assembly Against Austerity movement, protestors of all ages and backgrounds could be seen in the Square from 1pm to 3pm where an effort was raised to “shout loudly” for those most impacted by the cost rises.

Sheila Wiggins of the Dorset branch told the Echo: “The people of this country are facing the biggest cost of living crisis we’ve seen in a generation and so the National People’s Assembly has called a day of action so people across the country can come out and demonstrate all the price rises we’re seeing.

“We live in a rich country and the role of government is to ensure the redistribution of that wealth so that everyone is cared for and we think the government has failed us. The rich are getting richer and the poor are becoming poorer.

“The £20 Universal Credit needs to be reinstated, salaries need to go up in real terms, there could be windfall tax on the energy companies – there are measures that can be put in place.

Bournemouth Echo: Cost of living crisis protest in Bournemouth town centreCost of living crisis protest in Bournemouth town centre

“We want to create a big movement so that we can lobby the government, if nothing else people have a voice and we need to shout loudly for those who can’t get out onto the streets or can’t speak up for themselves.

“As a nation we deserve better.”

Shortly before the Echo attended, members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) were present protesting against the recent P&O Ferries jobs cut scandal in which nearly 800 staff were sacked in one day last month.