Newcastle’s council leader has angrily denied “insulting” accusations that the city authorities are not acting fast enough to address the cost of living crisis, after announcing measures to help struggling residents.
Labour chief Nick Kemp insisted that the local authority was acting “boldly and quickly” to support families fearing financial ruin this winter, after Lib Dem claims that locals have been left “very frustrated”. The row came after the city council announced a series of measures on Wednesday, including setting up a new outreach team and hotline to help people worried about their rising energy, food, and rent costs and confirmation that public buildings will be used as spaces where Geordies can keep warm this winter.
During an emergency motion at that night’s council meeting on the chaotic fallout from the government’s mini-budget, Coun Kemp said the situation was an 'economic disaster in the making' for which low and middle income families will shoulder the burden. He added: “An announcement from the government that did nothing for Newcastle would be bad enough, but what the government unveiled actively makes things even worse.
