People's Assembly Against Austerity
The People's Assembly Against Austerity is a political organisation based in the United Kingdom that was originally set up to end and reverse the country's government-instituted austerity programme.
People's Assembly logo
Demonstration organised by the Assembly, 20 June 2015
People's Assembly National Demonstration crosses Westminster Bridge with Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell leading the march, 5 November 2022
United Kingdom government austerity programme
The United Kingdom government austerity programme is a fiscal policy that was adopted for a period in the early 21st century following the Great Recession. The term was used by the Coalition and Conservative governments in office from 2010 to 2019, and again during the 2021–present cost of living crisis. The two periods are separated by a stint of interventionist, Keynesian spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first period alone was “one of the biggest deficit reduction programmes seen in any advanced economy since World War II”, with the emphasis on shrinking the state rather than fiscal consolidation as was more common elsewhere in Europe.
The first austerity period took place during the premierships of David Cameron and Theresa May
Image: Boris Johnson official portrait (cropped)
Image: Liz Truss official portrait (cropped)2
Image: Official Portrait of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (cropped)