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Thousands march through London to celebrate 70 years of NHS

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Thousands of demonstrators have marched through central London to celebrate 70 years of the NHS and demand more funding.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told supporters of the NHS to go to the end of the earth and beyond to defend it, as the march descended in Whitehall on Saturday.

Protesters carrying placards and banners reading Standing together for the NHS and NHS SOS streamed down towards Parliament where politicians, TV stars and union leaders addressed the rally.

Thousands march through London to celebrate 70 years of NHS

Thousands of people marched through London to mark 70 years of the NHS in London (Picture: EPA)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Wiktor Szymanowicz/REX/Shutterstock (9731632l) Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses a rally outside Downing Street in central London celebrating the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service. Thousands of protesters called for an end to austerity policies which lead to underfunding and staff shortages in the NHS, and demand that it remains publicly owned and accessible to everyone. NHS 70th anniversary demonstration and rally, London, UK - 30 Jun 2018

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed the rally outside Downing Street (Picture: Rex Features)

The NHS turns 70 years on 5 July.

Speaking to the crowds, Mr Corbyn said: Were here today on this amazing 70th birthday, here in Whitehall, yes to celebrate, but do we have the absolute determination that we will go to the end of the earth and beyond to defend our national health service?.

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Mr Corbyn also appealed to the government, saying: In the name of equality, in the name of justice, pay the social care needs that are necessary so people can live with dignity.

He continued: It is a symbol of an uncaring and cruel and divided society that so many go through mental health stress, so many go through it alone, and so many, sadly, take their own lives.

epa06851663 Thousands of people march, to mark 70 years of the British National Health Service (NHS), in central London, Britain, 30 June 2018. Reports state that the gathering is calling on the government for increased funding and staffing for the NHS, as well as a protest against privatisation of an organisation which turns 70 years old on 05 July 2018. EPA/ANDY RAIN

The gathering was calling on the government for increased funding and staffing for the NHS (Picture: EPA)

People march in central London to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday June 30, 2018. See PA story INDUSTRY Demonstration. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire

People also protested against privatisation of the organisation (Picture: PA)

I want to live in a society where we have a health service worthy of the name paid for by all of us, for all of us. Its called socialism.

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I want to see the same principles applied in education and in housing, he said, forced to pause as cheers erupted.

Organisers of the rally have said the governments recently announced funding boost was simply not good enough.

The government said that under the initiative by 2023-24, the NHS budget will increase by over £20billion a year in real terms compared to today, which is approximately £600million a week in cash terms, and £384million a week in real terms.

epa06851658 Thousands of people march, to mark 70 years of the British National Health Service (NHS), in central London, Britain, 30 June 2018. Reports state that the gathering is calling on the government for increased funding and staffing for the NHS, as well as a protest against privatisation of an organisation which turns 70 years old on 05 July 2018. EPA/ANDY RAIN

People seen marching through central London on Saturday (Picture: EPA)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Wiktor Szymanowicz/REX/Shutterstock (9731632a) Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell (CR) joined thousands of demonstrators taking part in a march followed by a rally outside Downing Street in central London to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service. Protesters call for an end to austerity policies which lead to underfunding and staff shortages in the NHS, and demand that it remains publicly owned and accessible to everyone. NHS 70th anniversary demonstration and rally, London, UK - 30 Jun 2018

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell joined protesters (Picture: Rex Features)

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: #As part of our long-term plan for the NHS we will increase funding by an average 3.4% per year – meaning that by 2023/24 it will receive £20.5billion a year more than it currently does.

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A placard decorated with balloons read: Happy 70th birthday NHS, heres to another 70 years.

Cheers of yes filled the streets as crowds were asked if they were born in the NHS, had been a patient in the NHS and wanted the NHS to be around in 70 years time.

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