Everything is going up: our food costs, our bills, our rent, our mortgage and debt payments. The wealth of billionaires, the profits of big businesses and the CO2 we pump into the atmosphere are going up too. The only thing that isn’t is our pay.
Workers are leading the fightback against the crisis, and community campaigns are springing up. Coalitions like Enough is Enough and the People’s Assembly have called national protests and rallies. Campaigns like Don’t Pay are calling national days of action against rip off energy bills.
We are a network of activists, organisations and grassroots campaigns. This website is a neutral resource for anyone who wants to get involved in the movement against the Cost of Living Crisis, or who wants to advertise a local meeting bringing together workers, campaigners and networks in their area.
1. Support strikes
Workers and unions are leading the fightback against real terms pay cuts and falling living standards. In local organising assemblies, we need to organise solidarity with strikes: attending picket lines, helping with ballot campaigns, raising money, and linking workplace disputes to the wider community.
2. Build protests
All across the country, protests are being planned. On Saturday 5th November, there will be a major national demonstration, organised by the People’s Assembly.
3. Promote non-payment campaigns
Energy bills are rocketing. BP, Shell and EON have all announced record-breaking profits while millions of people will be choosing between heating and eating. Millions more will be simply unable to pay when bills go up again on October 1st. Don’t Pay is the national campaign calling for a boycott of energy bills.
4. Solidarity and mutual aid
In a time of immigration raids, bailiffs and mass impoverishment, we need to look after each other. From crowds blocking border force and police vans, to community food banks, to community unions taking the fight to landlords and debt collection agencies.
Initial Statement
Everything is going up: our food costs, our bills, our rent, our mortgage and debt payments. The wealth of billionaires, the profits of big businesses and the CO2 we pump into the atmosphere are going up too. The only thing that isn’t is our pay.
The rich and politicians are making everyone else pay for this crisis. Once again, after a decade of austerity, the most marginalised people are at the sharp end. More than ever, we must build solidarity and amplify the voices and struggles that are too often ignored, and act in solidarity with people across the world who are taking action.
Workers and unions are mobilising to stop pay cuts, starting with the RMT strikes in June. Tens of thousands have already marched, and thousands more are taking direct action against the fossil fuel industry. When bills go up again in October, many will collectively refuse to pay. Renters’ unions are organising eviction resistance. In many areas, people are supporting each other with mutual aid and solidarity networks. Faced with a government campaign of authoritarianism and racist migrant scapegoating, communities have united to stop deportations and resist police oppression.
Across every town, city and neighbourhood, we need to unite these acts of resistance to reach as many people as possible and organise: for strikes, protests, non-payment campaigns and solidarity. That is why we are joining forces to call for local action meetings in September and beyond. Through these meetings and the alliances forged, we can help to organise a huge movement around this crisis.
Signed by:
Fuel Poverty Action
London Renters’ Union
Global Justice Now
Young Greens
SWARM
Another Europe is Possible
Just Stop Oil
Social Housing Action Campaign
Covid Action
LGBT+ Socialists
Nadia Whittome MP
John McDonnell MP
Chantelle Lunt, Black Lives Matter Merseyside
Joe Ryle, 4 Day Week Campaign director
Michael Forster, Health Campaigns Together chair
