Thousands of protesters took to the streets in central London on Saturday, in a national housing demonstration organised by tenant groups, trade unions and campaign organisations to demand rent controls and a large-scale programme of council housebuilding.

They set off from Soho Square before marching through central London, with event speakers including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and MP Zarah Sultana.

Pushed into poverty

A report by the Socialist Worker, revealed Elyem Chej, spokesperson for the London Renters Union, saying: “Soaring rents are pushing us into poverty and out of our neighbourhoods while corporate giants build luxury flats we can’t afford.

“Keir Starmer’s Government is making the housing crisis worse, cosying up to private developers and selling out our communities.”

Why is there always money to destroy homes abroad while we fail to build them here?”

Meanwhile, MP Zarah Sultana told the rally: “Priorities are a political choice. So we have to ask, why is there always money to destroy homes abroad while we fail to build them here?”

Tanya, an activist with Homes 4 All and Southwark Housing and Planning Emergency, said: “We need to say, loud and clear, no to fascists like Tommy Robinson, no to racists like Reform UK, and no to those like Keir Starmer who have acted as Nigel Farage’s best recruiting agents.”

We need rent controls, we need council housing. But that is a fraction of what we deserve.”

A spokesperson from Trans Action for Housing Justice, said: “Yes, we need rent controls, we need council housing. But that is a fraction of what we deserve. These are the first demands in a fight for our freedom.”