This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33210014

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Thousands attend anti-austerity rally and march in London Thousands attend anti-austerity rally and march in London
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people are attending a rally ahead of a march through central London as part of an anti-austerity demonstration. Thousands of people are marching through central London as part of an anti-austerity demonstration.
The march will begin outside the Bank of England and end near the Houses of Parliament - with organisers saying around 75,000 people could attend. The march began after a rally outside the Bank of England and will end with another rally outside the Houses of Parliament - with organisers saying around 75,000 people could attend.
The government says austerity measures are vital to cut the deficit.The government says austerity measures are vital to cut the deficit.
But Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn said that austerity was a "cover" for deepening inequality.But Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn said that austerity was a "cover" for deepening inequality.
The MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme his party had been wrong to accept the Conservatives' "cuts agenda" during the general election campaign.The MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme his party had been wrong to accept the Conservatives' "cuts agenda" during the general election campaign.
Mr Corbyn, one of four candidates to succeed Ed Miliband, said Labour instead needed to "rebalance the social direction" of the country.Mr Corbyn, one of four candidates to succeed Ed Miliband, said Labour instead needed to "rebalance the social direction" of the country.
He is due to address the anti-austerity demonstration, which has been organised by protest group the People's Assembly. At the scene
A a separate rally is being held in Glasgow by Scotland United Against Austerity. Lauren Turner, BBC News
One of the organisers promised a "festival atmosphere" before the demonstration got under way.
And with the banging of drums and the sound of cheers resounding around the heart of London's financial district, it looked like he was right.
It you looked closely at the placards, banners and t-shirts, you saw that the issues people were shouting about were many and varied.
Homes not Trident. Save Our NHS. A living wage for Mothers. Frack-free World.
One simply read: "We're mad as hell and we're not taking it any more."
Coaches from all corners of the UK had set off in the early hours of the morning, carrying some seasoned protesters and some who had felt moved to demonstrate for the first time.
A trio of bemused tourists emerging from the Tube on a day out, saying they had no idea about the demo, were perhaps the only ones who didn't have a message to spread.
Mr Corbyn is due to address the anti-austerity demonstration, which has been organised by protest group the People's Assembly, when it reaches Westminster.
Organisers say other speakers will include singer Charlotte Church, Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, and comedian and activist Russell Brand.
Thousand of people are also attending a separate rally in Glasgow, organised by Scotland United Against Austerity.
Lindsey German, one of the organisers of the London march, said a "whole range of people" would attend.Lindsey German, one of the organisers of the London march, said a "whole range of people" would attend.
"We are expecting a nasty, vicious budget next month on top of existing cuts and the movement today is saying this is the beginning, we are not going to accept it, she said.""We are expecting a nasty, vicious budget next month on top of existing cuts and the movement today is saying this is the beginning, we are not going to accept it, she said."
People are 'suffering'People are 'suffering'
George Penny, 18, from Cheltenham, said he was at the event because he believed the Conservative party's policy was "fundamentally flawed".George Penny, 18, from Cheltenham, said he was at the event because he believed the Conservative party's policy was "fundamentally flawed".
"They're not achieving the results they said they intended to achieve. Some of my friends have been seriously adversely affected," he said, adding these included those with mental health issues who had benefits removed."They're not achieving the results they said they intended to achieve. Some of my friends have been seriously adversely affected," he said, adding these included those with mental health issues who had benefits removed.
"People in Britain at large are suffering as a result of this government.""People in Britain at large are suffering as a result of this government."
Laura, 35, from Wiltshire, who did not want to give her full name, said: "I'm here because I believe cuts are not the right way of dealing with the economic solution.Laura, 35, from Wiltshire, who did not want to give her full name, said: "I'm here because I believe cuts are not the right way of dealing with the economic solution.
"We need to grow the economy in another way or in five or 10 years we'll end up in a country with no NHS, no welfare state.""We need to grow the economy in another way or in five or 10 years we'll end up in a country with no NHS, no welfare state."
'Artificial objective' 'Unequal society'
The day of protests comes as Mr Corbyn, speaking to the BBC, said his party had said "very good stuff" during the election campaign on issues such as zero-hour contracts but had also "bought into the Conservative agenda of of cutting public expenditure". The day of protests comes as Mr Corbyn, speaking to the BBC, said his party had said "very good stuff" during the election campaign on issues such as zero-hour contracts, but had "bought into the Conservative agenda of of cutting public expenditure".
Mr Corbyn said: "Britain has become a more unequal society, is becoming a more unequal society and austerity is a cover for actually deepening that level of inequality. "Britain has become a more unequal society, is becoming a more unequal society and austerity is a cover for actually deepening that level of inequality," he said.
"We have more people than ever using foodbanks, we have a greater number of people being homeless and many people in housing stress.""We have more people than ever using foodbanks, we have a greater number of people being homeless and many people in housing stress."
Mr Corbyn went head-to-head with his fellow leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall at a hustings in Nuneaton on Wednesday. Instead of austerity, Mr Corbyn said the government should focus on looking at the level of tax paid by corporations, tax evasion, and reaching a "corporate tax agreement" across Europe.
The new leader of the party will be announced on 12 September.
He rejected comments made by his leadership rival Ms Kendall, who said the government needed to reduce the debt and deficit because "we shouldn't be spending more on servicing our debt than educating our children".
Mr Corbyn said the economy was being depressed with lower wages and "a great deal of money" was being spent on benefits for people in work and on housing benefit for people in private accommodation.
He also said the cost of the UK's debts was now greater than before the coalition government came into power.
Instead of austerity, he said the government should focus on looking at the level of tax paid by corporations, tax evasion, and reaching a "corporate tax agreement" across Europe.
But a Treasury spokesperson said income inequality in the UK was lower than 2010 because the government's "long term plan is helping working people".But a Treasury spokesperson said income inequality in the UK was lower than 2010 because the government's "long term plan is helping working people".
"The best way to help people across the UK is to deliver lasting economic security, which is why we're continuing to work through the plan to cut our deficit.""The best way to help people across the UK is to deliver lasting economic security, which is why we're continuing to work through the plan to cut our deficit."