The government must to do more to help with the cost of living crisis

The Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups have put forward a motion to Full Council to declare a cost of living crisis and to call on the government to take urgent action to help residents deal with soaring energy bills, record high taxes and rising inflation. The motion also slams the government for years of energy policy failure and a lack of a long-term solution.

The motion calls on the government to:

1. Immediately introduce an Emergency Budget to protect children, families, and pensioners from the worst fall in living standards in generations.
2. Roll out a rapid programme of home insulation and other energy efficiency solutions, targeted at households in fuel poverty.
3. Design a more thorough, long-term economic plan that moves energy reliance away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy, creating more jobs, ensuring energy security, taking urgent action on climate change and helping residents in Bedford Borough with fuel and energy costs.

Councillor Hilde Hendrickx, who is seconding the motion, said "Time and again with this government it is the most vulnerable who suffer the most. The number of children in poverty has soared over the past 12 years and it will only get worse without urgent action and an effective long-term solution. The announced payments to help with energy bills is a one-off measure that is insufficient, comes far too late for many people and is a fig leaf to cover up the government's lack of a serious strategy to tackle the cost of living crisis."

The motion outlines the many different ways residents' living costs have soared in recent months. This includes record high energy, fuel and food costs, the highest tax burden in 70 years, rising mortgage payments and large increases in rail season tickets. The latest ONS data reveals that a typical household now spends £425 more on food, drink and clothing, £640 in additional National Insurance, Income Tax and VAT, and £310 more on petrol and diesel. This results in households being left with a near £1,300 increase in annual costs. Residents have had little to no help from government with 9 million families who receive benefits £500 worse off on average due to the government's decision to uprate benefits by just 3.1%, instead of with April's inflation rate.

Meanwhile, Bedford Borough Council has continued to provide support for residents despite government cuts. The Council has had the fourth lowest percentage rise in Council Tax of all unitary authorities since 2009 and are one of the few councils to offer a 100% Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Councillor Hendrickx continued "Whilst the Conservatives are fighting amongst themselves to form a government, our residents are facing the worst fall in living standards in generations. As we move into winter, families will face desperate situations where they have to choose whether to eat or heat their homes. They need more help. We need an Emergency Budget to support our residents."