Trade unions and anti-poverty campaigners will unite to stage a mass demonstration in Edinburgh against worsening social and economic inequalities.

Thousands of Scots fed-up with the soaring cost of living and rising poverty are set to march on Holyrood later this year.

The Scotland Demands Better campaign, which brings together trade unions and anti-poverty campaigners, will demonstrate in Edinburgh on October 25 to demand greater government action on inequalities across society.

The demo, announced today by STUC general secretary Roz Foyer, will seek to build a “unified movement” across Scotland with key demands on decent jobs, affordable services and minimum income guarantee.

Foyer said: “The length and breadth of Scotland, working people are demanding better. They want to see their communities flourish with decent jobs, sustainable income and public services that work for them.

“They’ve had enough of the broken promises and false dawns from institutions that promise solutions but deliver disappointment. We refuse to be silent and accept the status quo any longer.

“Scotland Demands Better is about a unified movement of organisations fighting for social, economic and environmental justice. We’re delighted to join with the Poverty Alliance and civic groups across Scotland to demand better for our people and our communities.

“We would ask all those who agree with us to stand beside our movement on October 25^th as we take that message directly to our political leaders.”

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Charlotte Lawley-Powell of the Poverty Alliance said: “We’re looking forward to working with the STUC and others to build towards this demonstration.

“We hope to see thousands on the streets of the capital demanding that our political leaders deliver a just and compassionate Scotland beyond the injustice of poverty, with many more showing support from home and in their communities.

“Despite welcome commitments from our politicians progress around social, economic and environmental justice is just too slow, and in many areas, things are actually going backwards.

“Too many people don’t have the stable foundation they need to build a better life for themselves and their households, and a better future for our country.

“It simply doesn’t have to be like this. Now is the time to tell our political leaders that Scotland Demands Better.”

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