THOUSANDS rallied in Edinburgh on Saturday to say No to poverty and inequality and send a message to the nation’s political class that “Scotland Demands Better.”

Led by the STUC and the Poverty Alliance, more than 5,000 trade unionists, anti-poverty campaigners, climate activists, community and faith groups gathered at Holyrood before marching, banners aloft, along the Royal Mile to rally at the Meadows.

Opening the rally, the Poverty Alliance’s Peter Kelly said: “We’re saying No to poverty and inequality and No to those who want to divide us.

“This year we demand better of our politicians. You must turn your paper commitments to tackle poverty and inequality into real change: no more missed targets, no more broken promises, no more excuses or passing the blame.”

Speaking of her experience as a full-time carer, Linda Craig told the rally: “I’ve been justifying my existence to the DWP and other places like that for 10 years, so now it’s time to speak out.

“I’m only one of more than 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland, and it’s estimated that we save the economy about £15 billion a year.

“But when you’re only receiving £83.30 per week carer support payment, you can very quickly fall into the poverty cycle.

“On top of dealing with your own personal daily struggles, you have to cope with the judgement and the stigma that comes from living in poverty — and most of that comes from the very organisations that are meant to help us.”

In a stark warning to politicians ahead of next year’s Holyrood elections, STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “The road of ever increasing inequality is the road to ruin.

“To those in power I say this: Listen to us, heed our warning.

“The days of politicians being all things to all people are finished: we need politicians who are prepared to stand up to the bosses and the billionaires.”

Closing proceedings, writer and musician Darren McGarvey took aim at Reform and the far right: “Wake up and smell the foie gras, folks.

“These are not tribunes of the left-behind: they’re the privately educated ignoramuses who always abandon you.”

He added: “Scotland does demand better. Not better slogans or scapegoats but better solidarity.”