ACTIVISTS BLOCKADE CHANCELLOR'S CAR IN ATTEMPT TO STOP BUDGET


In an audacious attempt to stop George Osborne delivering the budget this afternoon, 20 women blocked the five main exits of Downing Street. They blocked Osborne's car from leaving, but were dragged away from the car. One member of the group was arrested, and later released without charge.


The group was trying to stop George Osborne from delivering the budget because the government’s cuts agenda will decimate the Welfare State, harming the poorest and most vulnerable people the most.


At 11.15am, a group of protesters arrived at Downing Street carrying placards in the shape of red briefcases reading ‘Block the bankers’ budget’. Minutes later groups of three women lay in front of each of the four vehicle exits of Downing Street, and locked themselves together inside arm tubes, which makes it difficult for the Police to remove them quickly. The groups remained in position until 11.52, when the vehicle carrying George Osborne broke through one blockade.


The group of women pointed out that the cuts will have a devastating impact on the lives of women, citing examples such as the closure of women’s refuges, cuts to child, disability, carers and housing benefits, the roll back of maternity rights and that women are thought to make up 80 per cent of the expected job losses from the public sector.


Sara Ayech, one of the women lying outside the main gates of Downing Street said:

“We are stopping George Osborne from delivering his bankers’ budget because this budget has been written for the benefit of big business and the banking sector, not for ordinary people. The banks destroyed the economy and in return received the bail out and bonuses. But the government is choosing to make everyone else pay the price through unemployment, the decimation of the Welfare State and the NHS.


“The Welfare State was fought for and won by ordinary people only 64 years ago. It’s now under attack by the coalition government and we are here to defend it and show that people will resist the injustice of these cuts.”


ENDS


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Notes to editors

The women involved are friends from across the country. They came together to show their anger against the cuts and to defend the Welfare State.