Aside from the ongoing (too drawn out) contest to choose the next Prime Minister, there’s only one story in town and that’s the cost of living.
Pressures created by global events including the rise in wholesale gas prices as a result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine have reintroduced us to levels of inflation not seen since the 1970’s.
Learning about politics as a student, and even upon becoming an MP myself in 2010, inflation was viewed as a thing of the past; alongside widespread industrial unrest.
Now, in 2022, the British disease is back and we need to do two things; learn from history so as to not make things worse and come alongside the most vulnerable as we did during the pandemic.
Helping families in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford with the cost of living is not about an expensive glossy leaflet or wishing it away with eye-catching gestures that merely delay the pain.
It is about helping the millions of families who are struggling now while securing long-term economic growth again.
And while there’s more to come - and there will need to be as this week’s revised energy price cap will show - it would be plain wrong to say there’s no help this Autumn and everything’s on-hold until the new occupant is inside No.10.
We’ve heard a lot this Summer about £37 billion worth of help and it’s real.
Providing a £400 rebate on energy bills for all households tops the list; a cash grant that does not need to be repaid.
This will be delivered by energy suppliers from October, with payments spread over 6 months and, yes, I am still battling on behalf of local park home owners to ensure they don’t miss out because of the way they often pay for energy.
We’re also delivering a non-repayable £150 cash rebate for homes in Council Tax bands A-D – equivalent to 80 per cent of all households, helping both lower and middle-income families. Winchester City or Eastleigh Borough Council are administering this.
Every household on means- tested benefits will also receive a £650 cost-of-living payment so that’s supporting the most vulnerable households.
We then have £300 for pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments and £150 for recipients of disability benefits. This will come direct via the Department for Work & Pensions.
And we’re injecting £144 million of discretionary funding for local authorities to support households not eligible for the council tax rebate. Again, Winchester and Eastleigh direct this help.
Remember Marcus Rashford? We’re investing £200 million per year to continue the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, providing healthy food and activities for kids on Free School Meals. This has been so helpful to many constituents this Summer and I’ll be arguing for it to be extended into October half-term.
Finally, we must remember Hampshire County Council which is providing additional assistance right now to those who are struggling to afford necessities such as food and fuel.
Funds have been allocated to support the most vulnerable households in Hampshire with their fuel costs. Families with children on low incomes, pensioners and single householders on fixed incomes will be able to access direct financial support to pay gas, water and/or electricity bills.
Search “connect4communites”.
We must recognise it is impossible for any government to solve every problem - and of course every penny government spends is your money - but there’s a lot of help out there already and more is on the way.
No-one is alone in this; please seek help and advice if you’re struggling.
