Anti-austerity protests in London

Demonstrators take part in an anti-austerity protest march through central London on
October 20. PHOTO: AP

Tens of thousands of demonstrators descended on the British capital in a noisy but peaceful protest at a government austerity drive aimed at slashing the nation's debt.

Unions, anti-war campaigners, left-wing leaders, community groups and other activists poured down London's streets in a demonstration against reductions to public sector spending which officials are pushing through in order to rein in the Britain's debt, which stands at more than £1 trillion.

Although the austerity program has had some modest successes - the country's deficit has dropped slightly - the UK economy has shrunk for three consecutive quarters amid cuts at home and economic turmoil on the continent.

Brendan Barber, whose Trades Union Congress helped organise the march, said that the message of the protest was that "austerity is simply failing".

"The government is making life desperately hard for millions of people because of pay cuts for workers, while the rich are given tax cuts," he said.

Britain borrowed £13 billion in September alone, and with other European countries - including next door neighbour Ireland - struggling to make good on their debt, and there is a general consensus that the UK budget needs to be rebalanced.

- AP