A campaign has launched to battle against the ever-increasing cost of living, as everything in the UK gets more expensive by the passing minute.
Many are feeling worn out by the cost of living crisis, as inflation has just hit double digits for the first time in more than 40 years, reports the Metro.
Energy bills will rise once again in October, then in January 2023, possibly rising to over £4,000 in accordance with the price cap.
The price of an average food shop has increased by over 11 per cent, meaning households are having to scrimp and save every last penny in the lead up to Christmas. Is there anything to be done about this?
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Yes there is, as campaign group Enough is Enough has arrived, vowing to fight against the UK's cost of living crisis for every person struggling with their finances. So, what is there to know about this new group?
Everything you need to know about the Enough is Enough campaign is listed below. Read on to find out the details on what exactly the group is fighting for.
What is the Enough is Enough campaign?
In it's basic essence, Enough is Enough is an activist campaign set to try to fight the cost of living problems that are sweeping the UK. On the website, the mission statement reads: "Fair pay, affordable bills, enough to eat and a decent place to live. These aren’t luxuries – they are your rights!"
The group were introduced to the world on Wednesday, August 17, at a launch rally in London at the Clapham Grand. They released a well put-together video to promote their campaign, available here.
What does the group want?
Well, the Enough is Enough campaign has five key demands of the Government, and those elected to decide the cost of living across the UK. These are as follows:
Decent housing for all
In their 'Demand's section, the campaign group claim that the housing market is "rigged, making fortunes for property developers and greedy landlords while ripping-off millions, whether it’s through sky-high rents, abysmal quality or lack of availability."
The group is aiming to champion a rent cap, the building of at least 100,000 council homes annually, renters' rights and insulating homes too.
A pay rise for all
The group is advocating for a significant rise in the national minimum wage, with an aim to reach £15 an hour for all, as well as a real public sector pay rise, and an "inflation busting-rise in pensions and benefits."
The group said: "After decades of stagnation and real terms pay cuts, it’s time for a real pay rise."
Slashing energy bills
Enough is Enough aims to slash these bills by scrapping the initially planned October 2022 price hike, and sticking to the limit set by Ofgem in April 2022. In the future, the group would like to see all energy companies to fall under public ownership.
A 'right to food' to end food poverty
The group is planning to enshrine the Right to Food in law in the UK, and achieve this by introducing community kitchens, universal free school meals and reinstating the 20 quid a week Universal Credit uplift.
The group said: "Queues outside food banks and kids going hungry is a national disgrace. It’s time to put an end to that, once and for all. Food is a basic right and that needs to be put into practice, introducing universal free school meals, community kitchens, and reinstating the £20-a-week Universal Credit uplift."
Raising the tax for the wealthiest people in the UK
The group would like to introduce a 'wealth tax' on the top 5 per cent earners in the UK, which would see the biggest businesses taxes rising.
They would also clamp down on tax avoidance, evasion and non-domiciled status. As well as this, the group added: "we should be cutting the tax burden on working people, starting by reversing the recent hike to National Insurance."
Who is part of the Enough is Enough campaign?
The beginnings of the campaign can be found on the website, as they state: "We were founded by trade unions and community organisations determined to push back against the misery forced on millions by rising bills, low wages, food poverty, shoddy housing – and a society run only for a wealthy elite."
ACORN and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are both supporters of the campaign. Other supporters of the campaign include:
- Fans Supporting Foodbanks - a charity set up by the fans of Everton and Liverpool football club.
- Zarah Sultana MP - a Labour MP for Coventry South
- Ian Byrne - a Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby
- Right to Food campaign
- Tribune
General secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Mick Lynch, and his assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey, were listed as speakers at the London launch rally.
For more information on the Enough is Enough campaign, check out their website for more details here.
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