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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| NHS cuts protest in Manchester: 50,000 join march | NHS cuts protest in Manchester: 50,000 join march |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| About 50,000 are taking part in a union protest against austerity cuts and NHS changes during the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. | About 50,000 are taking part in a union protest against austerity cuts and NHS changes during the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. |
| The march, which set off from Liverpool Road at 12:15 BST, passed through the city centre and is ending with speeches in Whitworth Park. | The march, which set off from Liverpool Road at 12:15 BST, passed through the city centre and is ending with speeches in Whitworth Park. |
| Greater Manchester Police described it as was one of the largest protests they had ever policed. | Greater Manchester Police described it as was one of the largest protests they had ever policed. |
| The 2013 Conservative Party Conference started earlier at Manchester Central. | The 2013 Conservative Party Conference started earlier at Manchester Central. |
| Frances O'Grady, TUC general secretary, said: "Austerity is having a devastating effect on our communities and services, with 21,000 NHS jobs lost over the last three months alone. | |
| "The NHS is one of Britain's finest achievements and we will not allow ministers to destroy, through cuts and privatisation, what has taken generations to build." | "The NHS is one of Britain's finest achievements and we will not allow ministers to destroy, through cuts and privatisation, what has taken generations to build." |
| 'Absolutely fabulous' | |
| Andy Burnham, Labour's shadow health secretary, said: "David Cameron needs to be forcefully reminded that he has never been given the public's permission to put the NHS up for sale. | |
| "These figures reveal the frightening scale and pace of NHS privatisation since Cameron's Health Act came in." | |
| Children's charity worker Jo McSwaine, 22, from Manchester, said: "I don't believe in cutting public services, that's the biggest thing. We have to look after everyone, not just the rich". | |
| Her mother Judith McSwaine, 61, who travelled from Newcastle to attend, described the turnout as "absolutely fabulous." | |
| Catharyn Lawrence, a Unison regional organiser from Wakefield, said: "This will show we are a collective force. It is great people are standing together." | |
| No arrests | |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman said there was "absolutely no government policy to privatise NHS services". | A Department of Health spokeswoman said there was "absolutely no government policy to privatise NHS services". |
| She said: "The NHS will stay free for everyone, but it's right that patients should get the best service - regardless of who provides it. | She said: "The NHS will stay free for everyone, but it's right that patients should get the best service - regardless of who provides it. |
| "Charities, social enterprises and independent providers play an important part in providing NHS care - and have done for many years - helping give patients more choice of where and how they are treated." | "Charities, social enterprises and independent providers play an important part in providing NHS care - and have done for many years - helping give patients more choice of where and how they are treated." |
| Greater Manchester Police added no arrests had been made. | Greater Manchester Police added no arrests had been made. |
| Several road closures are in place, with a revised Metrolink service running during the protest. | Several road closures are in place, with a revised Metrolink service running during the protest. |