Yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out her spring statement. In it she confirmed what we’ve all been dreading - more cuts.

Over 3 million households across the UK will lose out, and hundreds of thousands more people - including 50,000 children - will be pushed into poverty. [1] And this comes on the back of cuts to international aid, which will hit the poorest communities around the world. 

But we know it doesn’t have to be this way, John. Spending cuts are a choice. Poverty is a choice. And right now, this government is choosing to protect extreme wealth at the cost of people’s lives. 

It’s time to make different choices.

And thanks to photographer Andrea Domeniconi!

That’s why on Tuesday evening, we were so proud to join the Tax the Super Rich rally.

Organised by War on Want and supported by dozens of organisations, like Greenpeace and The Equality Trust, hundreds of people stood shoulder to shoulder to say NO to cuts, NO to austerity 2.0 and make our voices heard right outside the Treasury. [2] Thank you to everyone who joined!

There were a range of speakers from Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer MP, Labour Lord Prem Sikka and trade unionists, to disability rights activist Ruth Kettle-Frisby and ex-city trader turned campaigner Gary Stevenson, because at the heart of every crisis we face - from climate to housing - and as the cost of living keeps on climbing - sits our broken economic system.

We need radical changes to transform our economy and put people above profits, but even in the short term John, there is an alternative and most people want it.

New polling from Oxfam this week found 77% of us would rather the government increase taxes on the very richest to improve public finances than see cuts to public spending. [3]

This isn’t the spring statement we wanted but it’s why we’ve gotta keep on fighting John.

After a week like this one, it’s natural to feel angry, to feel lost, or hopeless. But that’s why moments like the rally on Tuesday, or even just a simple sign of solidarity over email to a friend can mean so much - because change only happens when we stand and fight for it together.

Thank you for being part of this movement and standing for that change with us,

Hannah, Positive Money

Notes:

[1] The Guardian: More than 3m UK households to lose out from benefits cuts

Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Cuts to push 250,000 into poverty as living standards for the poorest under continuing assault

[2] The Canary: Tax the super-rich: protest breaks out over Spring Statement right at Rachel Reeves’ front door

[3] Oxfam: Three quarters of British public would back government tax increases on very richest versus spending cuts 

[4] Positive Money: Windfall tax on bank profits could raise £15bn

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