housands protest gov't austerity measures in London

Tens of thousands of people from across Britain gathered in central London on Saturday in protest of the government's austerity policy. The protesters following a call from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), urged the Conservative-Liberal coalition government to come to realize that its austerity prescription for the recession-hit country have failed. They argued that spending cuts are hitting jobs, services and living standards, and called for a new approach which puts focus on growth and an economy that works. "We have a stark and united message for the government. Austerity isn't working," said TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber. "Ministers told us that if we only accepted the pain, recovery would come," Barber said, "Instead we have been mired in a double dip recession." British opposition Labor Party leader Ed Miliband is also due to speak at the rally in the Hyde Park. Similar protests were also held in other parts of Britain such as Belfast and Glasgow.