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.
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“In the aftermath of the Chancellor’s statement, the markets tumbled and the pound crashed. Instead of a sound economic plan, we have a rehash of trickle-down economics – a failed Thatcherite theory that throwing money at the rich mysteriously benefits everyone else. It didn’t in the 1980s and it won’t now.”
Deputy council leader Karen Kilgour called it “morally indefensible” that foodbanks have become the norm in this country and that warm spaces are having to be set up to prevent people freezing to death this winter.
But Lib Dem opposition leader Nick Cott accused Labour of “playing politics with poverty” and not taking enough practical action in the city. After also condemning the Tory government’s “misguided ideology” and “disregard of the normal rules of economic and financial competence”, he added: “The council’s record on the cost of living has been one of slowness in response to the problems. Partners, residents and the opposition have all been very frustrated by this.
“Labour had run this city for over a decade. Labour, as well as the Government, needs to show it is up to the challenge. We need action not just rhetoric to tackle the inequalities.”
Coun Kemp called the criticism “offensive” as well as “facile and insulting”, saying that council staff had done a “huge amount of work” to produce a “very comprehensive” guide for residents on how to get help. In an announcement on Wednesday lunchtime of measures being taken to combat the cost of living emergency, the council said it was “focused on immediate action”.
Its plans include turning libraries and other buildings in the city into ‘winter wellbeing hubs’ offering shelter, free wifi, and activities including cooking classes. A hotline has been opened on 0800 170 7001 that residents can call seven days a week to get advice and support.
Coun Kemp also announced that access to meals on wheels would be increased to help more people in need and that extra activities would be offered for children during the half-term and Christmas holidays.
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