ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

There is only so many times you can be told that you can save electricity by only boiling the water you need in a kettle, turning your electronics off at the wall instead of popping them on stand-by, or using candles instead of the big light for a bit of “cost of living crisis ambience”. The fact of the matter is that the cost of living crisis is a systemic issue that disproportionately affects disabled people, chronically ill people, and their families (and - of course - many, many other people), and as much as the well-meaning suggestion of “only use the electricity you need to save on costs” is very valid for some, for others, who need their heating to maintain their health during the colder months, use medical equipment powered from the mains, or are feeling the fiscal crunch of the crisis, it feels a touch insignificant in the face of everything that’s happening at the moment. A number of groups have emerged at the forefront in the last few months who are campaigning for solutions to the problems that many of us face: they’re organising protests, marches, and offering support to people who might need it. Here’s a few organisations you might like to get involved with if you need or want to.

DISABILITY RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS

It goes without saying that many of our readers are probably already aware of or even members of groups like Disability Rights UK (DRUK) or Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), but those who are not may want to consider joining. DPAC and DRUK are both drawing attention to the myriad ways in which the cost of living crisis is having a devastating effect on the lives of disabled people across the country, and protesting the short-term solutions offered by the government, which are not believed to be sustainable in protecting people from the impacts of the cost of living crisis - including the benefit cuts that have come long before now. Joining these organisations and pressure groups helps add weight to their demands that aim to help disabled people across the country, and fight cuts that may affect you or people in your area. Outside of the cost of living crisis, these

Enough is Enough have just staged a series of almost forty protests across the entirety of the UK to condemn the crisis

groups are fighting to make all aspects of life better for disabled people through protest and pressure, and DPAC has local groups across the country where their members are fighting to make positive changes at a local as well as national level.

DPAC.uk.net DisabilityRightsUK.org

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Founded specifically to tackle the cost of living crisis, Enough is Enough have just staged a series of almost forty protests across the entirety of the UK to condemn the crisis and make known their five demands to tackle the situation that we all find ourselves in. Founded by trade unions and community organisations, they want to see the cost of living crisis addressed by raising wages in line with inflation and creating a pathway to offering a £15 p/h minimal wage, as well as banning zerohour contracts and curtailing exploitative working practices. Enough is Enough also want to see the energy cap restored to its pre-April price of £1277 per year, and bring the energy companies into public ownership while investing in renewables. They want to end food poverty through enshrining the right to food into law, cap rents and build more than 100,000 council homes, and ensure that the richest people in the country pay their fair share of taxes, as do big businesses, who often engage in tax avoidance and tax evasion.

WeSayEnough.co.uk

TENANTS’ UNIONS

In June of this year, IPSOS reported that almost one third of Britons were worried about their ability to pay their rent or mortgage. In Scotland, the government have put a rent and evictions freeze in place to ensure that, until March of next year, people will not have their rent raised, and cannot be evicted from their rental properties if they can’t pay their rent. Tenants’ unions are fighting to help renters and protect tenant rights, which is especially important during the cost of living crisis. These organisations are fighting to ensure that housing in both the private and social rented sector is safe, secure and affordable for everyone, in a time where rents are skyrocketing and some people are finding themselves priced out of their homes.

Many tenants’ unions are associated with ACORN, and are able to give renters in any sector help, advice and support if they face eviction or rent hikes that they don’t feel able to afford, or that are against the law. If you’re in Scotland, you can join Living Rent; people in London can join the London Renters’ Union, and for support regardless of location, check out Generation Rent.

LivingRent.org LondonRentersUnion.org GenerationRent.org