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Thousands attend Manchester protest against austerity 50,000 attend Manchester protest against austerity
(35 minutes later)
About 40,000 people marched through Manchester as part of a union protest against austerity cuts on the opening day of the Conservative party conference. About 50,000 people marched through Manchester as part of a union protest against austerity cuts on the opening day of the Conservative party conference.
The demonstration aimed to highlight the impact of government policies on jobs and spending across the health service, as well as the "rapid selloff" of the most lucrative parts of the NHS to private healthcare companies.The demonstration aimed to highlight the impact of government policies on jobs and spending across the health service, as well as the "rapid selloff" of the most lucrative parts of the NHS to private healthcare companies.
Following the march union leaders were due to address a rally alongside appearances by musicians.Following the march union leaders were due to address a rally alongside appearances by musicians.
Frances O'Grady, the TUC general secretary, said: "The march and rally will allow thousands of ordinary people to show the government exactly what they think of their policies.Frances O'Grady, the TUC general secretary, said: "The march and rally will allow thousands of ordinary people to show the government exactly what they think of their policies.
"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.""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 TUC's north-west regional secretary, Lynn Collins, said: "Our NHS is under attack and we want to send the strongest message to the Conservatives that we will not stand by and let them sell off our national treasure."The TUC's north-west regional secretary, Lynn Collins, said: "Our NHS is under attack and we want to send the strongest message to the Conservatives that we will not stand by and let them sell off our national treasure."
Leading musicians are helping to organise the event in signs of a renewed link between music and politics. Manchester musician John Robb will compere a rally, while Liverpool band the Farm and 15-year-old John Lennon McCullagh will sing.Leading musicians are helping to organise the event in signs of a renewed link between music and politics. Manchester musician John Robb will compere a rally, while Liverpool band the Farm and 15-year-old John Lennon McCullagh will sing.
The march passed through Manchester city centre to end up at Whitworth Park, where a stage has been set up draped in banners saying "Save Our NHS", "TUC defends jobs and services" and "No to Austerity".The march passed through Manchester city centre to end up at Whitworth Park, where a stage has been set up draped in banners saying "Save Our NHS", "TUC defends jobs and services" and "No to Austerity".
Greater Manchester police tweeted that the march was "good natured". Another tweet said: "40,000 protestors marching through Manchester and not one arrest." Organisers said the total number of protesters was up to 50,000 and "far more than expected".
Police said the protest was a mile long as it snaked through the city centre. This figure was then confirmed by GMP when the force tweeted: "Estimations are that around 50k involved in protest. One of the largest ever policed by GMP. No arrests and everyone safe in the sunshine."
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