Last week’s Queen’s Speech marked the start of a new Parliamentary Session. The Conservative government announced 38 new laws that they hope will be voted through in the next twelve months.
But there was one issue noticeable by its absence. The Conservatives have announced no new measures that would help tackle the cost-of-living crisis, the major issue of concern for thousands of my constituents in Dulwich and West Norwood.
With inflation close to 10 per cent, taxes up and the cost of our gas, electricity and weekly groceries soaring it is beyond belief that the Conservatives are still refusing to take action.
Cost of Living Crisis: Help at hand with Alexandra Rose food voucher scheme
Labour has a clear costed plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. A one-off windfall tax on the soaring profits of gas and oil companies whose profits are rocketing with rising energy costs. But despite this clear costed plan the Conservatives still fail to take action.
In recent weeks, as I’ve been out campaigning for the council elections, I’ve noticed more and more older people on colder days answering their door wearing a coat inside because they can’t afford to heat their homes. This a shocking, disgraceful reality of 21st century Britain and it’s completely unacceptable.
Cost of Living Crisis: Walworth mum-of-four sold most treasured belongings to put food on the table
Labour has a plan to fully insulate millions of homes across the country to save money for local residents and to help tackle the climate crisis. We would also invest more in renewable energy such as wind farms to bring down bills and reduce our reliance on the fossil fuels which are driving climate change.
The Queen’s Speech was an opportunity to set out the solutions to the urgent problems local residents face, and a bold and optimistic vision for the future of our country. Sadly it did neither, exposing a government which is both out of touch and out of ideas. Residents in Southwark and Lambeth and across the country deserve far better.