Peterborough: Anti-Austerity Meet

4 October 2012, 12:00 | Updated: 4 October 2012, 12:15

A meeting is taking place today (Thursday) ahead of a national march and rally in London against the so-called "austerity cuts."

Various unions and anti-austerity protestors will be gathering in Peterborough this evening to discuss the issues around the coalition's austerity measures.

The theme is "Austerity doesn't work. The economic crisis is getting worse here and all across Europe and, indeed, the World."

The speakers include Donna Bennett from Unite and Ian Albert from the PCS union in the east of England. 

Speaking to Heart, Mr Albert says the cuts are affecting people in Cambridgshire, and with more empty shops in Peterborough than the UK average, it's getting worse across the county: "Parts of Cambridge, including the countryside. 

Shops and pubs are closing - we've already seen this week JJB in Peterborough closing."

Mr Albert says the cuts are deeper here than many other places: "In Peterborough, the PCS were able to fight off the closure of the Land Registry - but they are still facing job closures there, and in the Passport office, the DWP and the tax office."

Tonight's meeting is taking place at The Museum, Priestgate, Peterborough, at 7:30pm.