Thousands attend anti-austerity rallies across Britain

protestThousands of people took part in anti-austerity demonstrations in UK cities.

The biggest march was in London, where thousands of people attended a rally outside the Bank of England before marching to the Houses of Parliament.

Union leaders and celebrities including Russell Brand and Charlotte Church have addressed crowds, while protests also took place in Liverpool and Glasgow reports BBC.

The government says austerity measures are vital to cutting the deficit.

The London rally was also addressed by Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, and Labour leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn.

The protest was organised by protest group the People’s Assembly, which said 250,000 people attended. The Met Police have not estimated how many people were there.

Thousands of people also attended the rally in Glasgow, organised by Scotland United Against Austerity.