A GRASSROOTS group is calling for better services to meet Didcot's growing population.

Protesters will be gathering throughout the UK to take part in a coordinated national day of action to protest the Government's ‘mishandling’ of the coronavirus crisis.

People’s Assembly Against Austerity will be standing against the ‘Tories’ handling of the pandemic’. The group believe the recent ending of the eviction ban and ‘impending retraction’ of the furlough scheme is likely to cause an ‘economic catastrophe’.

Didcot Against Austerity (DDA) will be joining the national protest on October 17 by meeting at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot to demand funding for young people and a new medical centre.

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Group co-convenor Carol Stavris said: “District councils like ours were already strapped for cash before the Covid pandemic. SODC face a huge hole in their revenues despite Government promises to provide the funds needed to fight the pandemic. This promise looks likely to be broken unless we press the Government to honour it.”

“Our council will be desperate to make savings in the services they provide for us. Cornerstone Arts Centre may be under threat of closure. Didcot, as a growing town, also needs extra facilities, such as more NHS dentists, a walk-in medical centre and services for young people. We say no more cuts in services.”