Campaigners grouped at an historic Newcastle landmark this afternoon, to fight back against the ongoing cost of living crisis across the United Kingdom.
Crowds assembled at a live demonstration at Grey's Monument just after noon, to stand in unity against soaring energy and food prices which continue to rise in line with inflation.
And the people of Newcastle made their voices heard during their live demonstration.
Go here for the latest news live from Newcastle city centre
Speaker Tony Dowling touched on the impact that the crisis is having on the residents of the North East - some of whom being left with the dire choice of either heating or eating.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, the chair of the People's Assembly in the North East, said: "The event today was part of a national day of action called by the People's Assembly against austerity, about the cost of living crisis that is being suffered by people in this county."
He added: "Working people are getting squeezed from all sides with the cost of living crisis. Food prices have spiked, people are paying exorbitant amounts at the pump, wages remain stagnant and take-home pay diminishes as inflation rises.
"The strain on working people has become unmanageable.
"The corporations and the stock companies profit when prices increase. The ordinary people are paying and are growing angry, and organising and they're starting to fight back as we are doing here today."
Representatives from university and college unions who are currently on strike through pension cuts were also present, alongside public commercial service unions, Keep Our NHS Public North East and the Newcastle United Food Bank - which many families in the region constantly rely on.
"It's an absolute disgrace in this day and age," Tony added reflecting on the need to use food banks, continuing: "There's real anger at this growing crisis, working people could not be working harder and yet life is getting so much more difficult.
"People can see clearer than ever of the inequality in our society, that while there are companies making massive profits and the richest individuals are getting so much richer, everybody else is having to suffer making very difficult decisions to try and get by.
"Older people will be cold in their homes, people will be struggling to feed their children and none of this is a crisis of their making.
"Meanwhile the Government sits by and does nothing to help these people, so we will be out on the streets again and again saying enough is enough until this is sorted out."
Protests took place across the nation today by like-minded people fighting back against austerity in Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow and Manchester among others.
He continued: "There were actions all across the country today as well as here in Newcastle, and we're having regular protests and we want to build this as we go."
The cost of food has continued to rise in line with inflation across the UK, while energy prices also will see an incline as of next month.
Council tax is also set to rise, as well as National Insurance, and the price for petrol and diesel is currently at an all time high across the UK.
These are just a few factors which contribute to the ongoing crisis that citizens across the county will be faced with, while minimum wage also marginally increases.
You can find out more about the People's Assembly and their demonstrations at their official website, here.
