London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026

Protests held over climate crisis and energy rises

Protests held over climate crisis and energy rises

Protests have been taking place across the UK on a day of action highlighting issues including the increased cost of living and the climate crisis.

Enough is Enough, a campaign set up in response to the rising cost of living, held events in cities across the UK.

It comes on the day energy price rises came into effect for millions.

Members of Extinction Rebellion (XR), Just Stop Oil and the Revolutionary Communist Group (RCG) were also among those marching in London on Saturday.

Thousands attended the demonstrations, which also coincided with postal and rail strikes. People attended rallies in cities including Birmingham, Glasgow and Belfast.

Prices are twice as high as last winter, with an 80% increase in domestic gas and electricity bills - although this has been cushioned by a government cap on the cost per unit.

The government has said its energy guarantee would cost £60bn for the first six months, but industry analysts suggest the total bill could be between £130bn and £150bn.

As well as the huge rises in energy bills coming into effect, the rallies are also against the government's recent mini-budget, which included a £45bn package of tax cuts.

Those taking part include supporters of Don't Pay UK - a group encouraging householders to cancel their direct debits if the government does not offer further support to families.

One protester said: "The people want and desperately need change."

Protesters marched to Westminster in central London

Musicians were among those taking part


The climate campaigners brought Westminster Bridge to a standstill as people sat in the road, chanting slogans about the environment and playing instruments.

A woman called Meg, a member of Doctors For Extinction Rebellion, who was taking part in the march said: "This is a climate emergency and people are already dying, more are going to die from the effects of climate change."

Some carried a banner saying capitalism was "the enemy of Mother Earth", others were protesting more specifically against the government.

A man, giving his name as George, criticised the Conservatives' record on fossil fuels and their financial record.

"No government can run if it's spending more, like vastly more, than it's bringing in," he said.

In Birmingham - where the Conservative party conference begins on Sunday - people burned mock energy bills in response to the rise in the cost of gas and electricity.

The campaign wants a real pay rise, cut to energy bills and a tax on the rich

Protestors burnt mock energy bills in Birmingham


XR staged a protest in Edinburgh as people marched to the Scottish Parliament.

Retired Army officer Mike Grant, 62, said: "The climate crisis hit the UK with a vengeance this summer. The science has been clear for years but now we are seeing what that means in reality."

And architect Simon Clark, also 62, said: "The fossil fuel industry has openly enslaved our society, allowing it to create havoc in the environment whilst making record profits with complete impunity."

People gathered in Glasgow on Saturday


Protester Lily Holder, 29, who was on a London march organised by Enough is Enough said: "It's time to funnel our collective rage into something active and productive."

She was among a group supporting striking unions, like the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), at King's Cross.

Some 50,000 workers from four unions are taking part in a strike on Saturday, resulting in the worst rail disruption of the year so far.

"This is an opportunity to express a shared sense of disillusionment in our Tory government," she said, adding: "The people want and desperately need change - and they need it soon. This winter is a frightening prospect and is going to show the true cruelty of our government."

Prime Minister Liz Truss has said she wants to "get the economy growing" and is maintaining an "iron grip on the national finances"

She has resisted calls to reverse the tax cuts announced in Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget or bring forward publication of the economic assessment of their plans. Mr Kwarteng says further economic plans being announced next month will include a "credible plan" to get finances back on track.

Protests have also been held about the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini


Protests have also been held in London following the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini. They included in Trafalgar Square, where people gathered to make their views heard. The 22-year-old woman died after she was detained by morality police.

Demonstrations have been taking place across the world, with those in Iran becoming increasingly violent and dozens of people being killed.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Security Adviser Viewed US-Iran Nuclear Deal as Within Reach Before Sudden Escalation
UK Prime Minister Urges Continued Focus on Ukraine Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
UK Introduces New Safeguards to Shield Lenders from Bank Run Risks
UK Promotional Products Market Surpasses £1.3 Billion as Demand Strengthens in 2025
Reeves Pushes for Deeper UK-EU Economic Ties to Revive Growth
UK Security Adviser Saw No Imminent Iranian Nuclear Threat Days Before War Erupted
France Signals Warm Welcome for UK Return to EU Single Market Amid Renewed Cooperation Talks
UK Defence Official Criticises Boeing Over Delays to E-7 Wedgetail Programme
UK Urged to Secure Quantum Talent as Minister Warns Against Repeating AI Setbacks
UK Mayors Set to Gain New Spending Powers Under Reeves’ Fiscal Devolution Plan
Western Allies Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Expanded Ground Operation in Lebanon
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
UK Set to Introduce Steel Tariffs of Up to 50 Percent in New Industrial Strategy
European Governments Decline Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fears Over Iran Conflict Weigh on UK Consumer Confidence
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Iran War and Energy Shock Shake Britain’s Economy and Political Debate
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Personal Tributes to Their Mothers on UK Mother’s Day
Prince William Honors Princess Diana with Mother’s Day Tribute
UK Economy Stalls in January as Households Cut Back on Eating Out
AI-Generated Singer Becomes Viral Voice for Iranians With New Anthem
London Private Club Founder Plans Exclusive Palm Beach Venue Near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
Ed Davey Urges Britain to Build Fully Independent Nuclear Missile Capability
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
US Treasury Links British Polo Patrons to Alleged Venezuelan Oil Proceeds Laundering Scheme
Hundreds Gather in London Despite Ban on Annual Pro-Palestinian March
Two Dead and Multiple Students Seriously Ill After Invasive Meningitis Outbreak at UK University
UK Considers Deploying Ships and Mine-Hunting Drones to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Starmer and Trump Discuss Urgent Need to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Visit Draws Mixed Reaction From Local Communities
Trump Calls on France and UK to Help Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route
Boris Johnson Labels Bitcoin a ‘Ponzi Scheme’, Sparking Debate in Crypto World
UK Considers Targeted Aid for Vulnerable Households as Energy Costs Rise
Stellantis Urges Immediate Review of UK Electric Vehicle Sales Targets
Home Office Reverses Course to Allow Some Dual Nationals to Enter UK Using EU Passports
Reform UK Proposes Replacing Top Civil Servants With Officials Aligned to Government Agenda
Netflix Adds Critically Acclaimed ‘Best Film of 2025’ With Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
‘The Sums Don’t Add Up’: UK Farmers Hit by Soaring Costs as Iran War Disrupts Global Supplies
Confidential UK Biobank Health Records Found Online After Researchers Accidentally Expose Data
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
×