Eastbourne protest against future covid austerity measures

Protesters took to the steps of Eastbourne Town Hall to demonstrate against potential future austerity measures in the aftermath of the covid crisis.
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Members of Eastbourne People’s Assembly Against Austerity waved colourful placards and banners outside the council building in Grove Road on Saturday (October 17).

A spokesperson said, “We were there to highlight the issue that, when the time comes, a great many people of this country simply cannot afford to carry the burden for paying for the pandemic.

“They cannot afford another round of austerity.”

Eastbourne People's Assembly protest outside Eastbourne Town Hall SUS-201021-151431001Eastbourne People's Assembly protest outside Eastbourne Town Hall SUS-201021-151431001
Eastbourne People's Assembly protest outside Eastbourne Town Hall SUS-201021-151431001
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The group says the austerity cuts following the global financial crash in 2007 resulted in the ‘steady erosion of many of our social supports and services’ which it says were ‘trimmed to the bone’.

The spokesperson said, “When it comes to balancing the books after this pandemic, we simply cannot afford a second round of austerity. There are alternatives that must be considered.”

The spokesperson said the country is facing debt to GDP levels expected to top 120 per cent, not seen since the Second World War.

They said, “We need to take a look at how, after the war, we invested our way to achieving a decent standard of living for all. Borrowing rates are currently at an all time low.

Eastbourne People's Assembly protest outside Eastbourne Town Hall SUS-201021-151358001Eastbourne People's Assembly protest outside Eastbourne Town Hall SUS-201021-151358001
Eastbourne People's Assembly protest outside Eastbourne Town Hall SUS-201021-151358001
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“Properly managed, the country can and should borrow at these very low rates for very long periods.

“Fantastic progress was made for so many people after the war. If we did it then (when the country was on its knees) then we can do it again.

“Investing in people makes absolute economic sense. Austerity was an ideological choice which failed us all miserably. It was bad economics and must not be repeated.

“The people have suffered enough.”

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