Cost of Living Increases Debate Speech
17th May 2022
Intro
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Today I want to raise the very serious issue of the cost-of-living crisis.
A crisis which is impacting people of all backgrounds, up and down the country.
A crisis which is forcing people to make unimaginable sacrifices.
A crisis which absolutely can be averted if the Government takes action.
The government intends on introducing 38 bills, yet not one of them tackles the cost-of-living crisis.
Mr Speaker, it is a travesty that communities in 21st century Britain are choosing between heating and eating.
A far cry from the Government’s promise to “level up” the country.
I am frankly appalled that food banks have become normalised and whilst the Party opposite use silly voices or simply reduce the issue down a “lack of budgeting and cooking skills”, people in my constituency are on the brink of survival.
Millions are struggling to make ends meet with a cost-of-living crisis and now to make matters worse, an imminent national insurance hike.
Constituency
Cutting Universal Credit payments by £20 per week, left my constituent Alicia and her young daughters, “literally freezing in their home… with rumbly tummies, and fast-growing debt.”
This is no longer about living, it’s about surviving.
What steps will the Minister take to introduce support for those families – like Alicia’s – who are struggling to pay rising household bills?
Background
Mr Speaker, many organisations have highlighted the real-life impact of the cost-of-living crisis. The Yorkshire Building Society fears households could face a £100 per month shortfall by 2024, whilst Shawbrook Bank says one in five people have lost sleep over surging prices. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research reports that 250,000 households face “destitution” without immediate support.
Despite these alarming figures, the government’s Queen’s Speech failed to address the cost of living. Will the Government do the right thing and support Labour’s plan for a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producer profits which will help cut household bills by up to £600 and support businesses through the cost-of-living storm?
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, all of us in this chamber are extremely fortunate to be here. Politics aside, I’d like to think we all came to this place to bring about positive change and to help people.
We can be a force for good. In that spirit, I hope the Government understands the plight of people across this country and takes meaningful steps to ease this crisis.