Thousands took to the streets on Saturday across Britain protesting against massive budget cuts that would leave up to 500,000 people jobless, local media reported.
The British government unveiled on Wednesday its plans to cut government spending by 19 percent over the next four years and raise the legal retirement age in an attempt to tackle the 155-billion-pound ($243-billion) budget deficit.
British trade unions have strongly criticized the cuts, the most radical shake-up of public finances in decades.
During a protest meeting in London on Saturday, Robert Crow, the head of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), called on the trade unions to take joint actions to derail the austerity plan.
Some 20,000 people from across Scotland marched in downtown Edinburg on Saturday, chanting slogans condemning Prime Minister David Cameron's government. Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, leaders of trade unions and public figures took part in the protest.
Mass demonstrations also took place in Cardiff, Belfast, Cambridge, Sheffield, Norwich and other cities across the United Kingdom. During a rally in Bristol, two protesters were detained and two policemen were injured in a clash with demonstrators.
Britain's Trades Union Congress (TUC) has announced its plans to stage a nationwide demonstration on March 26, 2011, to protest against the austerity program.
LONDON, October 24 (RIA Novosti)
