Thousands of protesters have marched through central London to campaign against the Conservative government as part of a “Not One Day More” protest.
More than 10,000 people were expected to join the march, which began outside BBC Broadcasting House and moved towards Parliament Square to hear a number of speakers including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Protesters arrived with banners branding messages of defiance against austerity and the Tory Party, including "Austerity kills" and "Kick the Tories out", and people could be heard chanting “Not one day more” as the crowd moved through the streets of the capital.
Alongside Mr Corbyn, Labour figures including John McDonnell and Diane Abbott as well as Unite union boss Len McCluskey and writer Owen Jones were among those speaking at the demonstration.
Musicians including DJ Shy FX, north London rock band Wolf Alice and singer Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly were also said to be appearing.
Anger was expressed over the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed at least 80 people two weeks ago, with many people chanting “Justice for Grenfell” and making a connection between public service cuts and the fatal blaze.
Activists assembled at the BBC's Broadcasting House in west London at around midday before marching onto Parliament, with unions busing in protesters from across the UK, including Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.
The People’s Assembly Against Austerity, which organised the march, invited people to march against a Government “committed to austerity, cuts and privatisation”, saying they were marching “for a decent health service, education system, housing, jobs and living standards for all.”
In a statement on the Facebook event, they said: “Theresa May called the General Election to gain a bigger majority, and despite massive media bias in favour of the Conservatives, she failed spectacularly to deliver on that. Now the Tories are in chaos trying to prop up a Government with the deeply conservative and regressive DUP.
“The horrific events that followed the election at Grenfell Tower were avoidable. Privatisation, cut backs and illegal materials cost lives. Safety concerns were ignored. This is the most tragic example of what the consequences of austerity can be.”
A minute of silence for the victims of Grenfell Tower and a minute of applause for the emergency services would be held during the protest. Demonstrators are publicising the march with the hashtag #notonedaymore on Twitter.
