CAMPAIGNERS are today preparing to march through the county town in protest over the mass cull of public sector workers and the off-loading of services.

The Suffolk Coalition for Public Services have been collecting signatures in Ipswich over the past four weeks in protest to the widely-publicised cuts.

And having realised the strength of feeling and the level of concern, they have now confirmed plans for a march and rally on Saturday, November 27.

They said today that elderly people and their carers have expressed concern over the proposed closure of care homes and day centres while young parents are angry about proposed cuts in child benefit.

A spokesman said: “Teachers are worried about a second cut in pensions in two years and even young people, not known for their zeal in signing petitions, are worried and anxious about the lack of jobs, getting to university, the scrapping of Educational Maintenance Allowances and the proposed astronomical leap in tuition fees.

“The prospect of starting a career after graduating with possible debts of �50,000 plus is impacting on the plans of many teenagers and their parents.”

The various public sector unions including UNISON, Unite, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are united in the belief that there are alternatives to cuts and are proposing a raft of changes to our taxation system that could stave off the need to axe jobs, raid pensions and outsource vital public services.

They claim the country is owed billions of pounds in tax and by enforcing laws and closing down loopholes we could rake in this cash and pay off a large proportion of our national debt.

A Robin Hood tax on global financial deals is also proposed.

The protesters will gather at Endeavour House, in Russell Road, Ipswich at 11am on the day of the march and will walk up to Princes Street, north to the Buttermarket, proceed to Upper Brook Street, turn left into Tavern Street and then march through Cornhill, along Westgate Street to St Matthews Roundabout.

They will end at Wolsey Theatre at midday where speakers will voice their views on the cuts and the possible way forward.