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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Remy Greasley

People 'will be heard' as they 'cut back' to keep the heating on

People are "disgusted" at having to pay hiking bills while energy companies take a profit.

A small crowd descended on Pier Head today protesting as part of the Don't Pay campaign, demanding the government act over "sky high fuel prices." The protest was one of many 'Warm Ups' taking place across the UK, with similar acts in Birmingham, Brighton, Edinburgh and London.

The protestors also peacefully occupied part of the Museum of Liverpool, educating visitors on their campaign. They want the government to to cap energy bills at October 2021 prices, where they were before the Cost of Living crisis saw bills skyrocket.

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This morning the ECHO went down to the Pier Head and spoke to protestors about what made them join in on the action today. One man said he was there partially because "no one seems to care" about the fact energy companies are turning over a large profit while working people are going cold in their own homes.

Jamal Naser, 44, of Toxteth, said: "There's millions like me who have to cut back on so many things to just put the heating on for a bit. My bills used to be £150 a month, not they're £600.

"We're not millionaires. If something was threatening millionaires like this then it wouldn't be happening.

"We will be heard at some point. You can't keep ignoring it forever.

Don't Pay protestors peacefully occupy part of the Museum of Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)

"That's why I'm here. Nothing's going to change overnight. It's going to be a struggle.

"It's not that we don't want to pay, it's that we can't.

"I've got young kids. What do I say to them?

"They don't understand what's going on. How are they meant to understand why they can't have some things because we can't afford heating.

"People in worse off countries aren't going through this struggle."

Ritchie, 69, from South Liverpool, said: "What I'm concerned about is people dying of cold and the energy companies making so much money.

"They've made more and more money as the bills have risen for us. It's disgusting we have to pay for that.

David, a bus driver watching the protest, said: "I agree with what they're saying. If everyone stops paying what're they gonna do, chase everyone?

"It's needed. People with families are scared of just putting the heating on, or having a bath."

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