Tackling the cost-of-living crisis is at the core of the work the Government do. As the Parliamentary summer recess draws to a close, I want to reflect on the measures announced by the Prime Minister which focus on this.
Our network of buses is vital to many of us who commute and travel across Chester North & Neston regularly, but I know the costs of bus travel can often become a barrier to using these services. As we all look at making our travel habits more sustainable, removing barriers such as this is greatly important. I am pleased the Prime Minister understands this necessity and has taken swift action to introduce a £2 bus fare cap from January 2027.
Disabled people should not be penalised for using bus services during peak hours. Removing the pre-9:30am block on disabled persons bus passes from April 2027 is a welcome move and removes unnecessary barriers to accessing work, education and wider services.
I receive a great deal of correspondence from residents who are struggling to pay ever-increasing energy bills. As we begin to approach the colder months of the year, I know just how concerning this can be. From October 1 this year, VAT on electricity bills will be cut entirely to ease the burden these bills can have.
The Prime Minister has also announced a series of ‘everyday fixes’ which are designed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, which kicked off with a package of measures to tackle rip-off subscriptions and fake discounts. The former will introduce mandatory cooling-off periods and enforce easier cancellation of subscriptions, which total 155 million in the UK alone.
On a more local note, there are numerous organisations who offer a wide range of support for those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. For example, Citizen’s Advice, Pennysmart CIC, St Mark’s Debt Advice, Dial West Cheshire and many others all offer courses and packages of support focused on living costs. The work these organisations do is incredibly valuable to our community and I thank them for their great efforts.
As Parliament returns on Monday, I am looking forward to continuing this work and prioritising policies I know will make life easier for people in Chester North & Neston and further afield.
I hold regular surgeries and meetings with residents; if you or anyone you know needs help in any matter, please get in touch with me at samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk.