WHEN I WAS elected as the Member of Parliament for the City of Chester, I knew one of the main issues facing constituents was the cost-of-living crisis. This has not changed.
Wherever I go people tell me of the real struggles they are facing. People are struggling to afford skyrocketing rent and mortgages, with the average first-time buyer now facing an additional £500 a month housing costs.
Food prices are growing 50% faster than elsewhere in the G7, putting Britain’s food inflation rate at 19.2% compared with an average of 12.8%. The typical family food shop is up by an eye-watering £700 a year.
Wages are not keeping up with the high living costs. Real wages are being squeezed compared to our European neighbours. The average French and German family are now 10% and 19% richer than their British counterparts.
With stats likes these, it is no wonder we are seeing record numbers of people being forced to turn to foodbanks for their basic necessities. Napoleon once labelled us as a nation of shopkeepers; after 13 years of Conservative mismanagement, we are now a nation of foodbanks.
I am very thankful for the incredible work of volunteers at foodbanks across Chester, however, I do look forward to the day when they are no longer needed.
On my recent visit to the West Cheshire Foodbank, volunteers shared a heart-breaking story of pensioners turning to them in tears as they were unable to afford the most basic of necessities. In fact, earlier this week I raised the issue in Parliament that there are now 400,000 more pensioners in poverty than in 2010, and over a third of those eligible are not claiming Pension Credit.
Pension Credit has one of the lowest take-up rates of any income-related benefit, but it could be a vital lifeline. I would strongly encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to check their eligibility.
If you’d like help with your Pension Credit or any other issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk
Additional information of help and support can also be found on the cost living page on my website.
The cost-of-living crisis is real, and it certainly hasn’t ended. Unfortunately, Tories have their head in the sand about the reality of the crisis facing families in Chester and across the country.