Hundreds attend protest over funding cuts to GP surgeries

Anti-cuts: Protesters in Newham

More than 400 people joined a march on Saturday protesting against government cuts they fear could close GP surgeries across East London.

Campaigners from Save our Surgeries were protesting at the withdrawal of Minimum Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG) as well as wider cuts to NHS funding by the government.

The protesters were backed by Unite union as well as local MPs and councillors.

On Friday, a petition with over 12,500 signatories was handed to the Department of Health, calling on NHS England to reverse the cuts.

Demonstrators in Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel

The march began in Whitechapel at Altab Ali Park where MP for Bethnal Green and Bow Rushanara Ali and Mayor of Tower Hamlets Luftur Rahman gave speeches.

The march ended with a rally in London Fields, where Dianne Abbott MP gave an address to the assembled crowds.