The Government must act now to address the significant strain on household finances caused by spiralling costs of living.
That's the message from Northumberland Labour leader councillor Scott Dickinson as the cost of energy, fuel, and food continues to rise.
The problem looks set to get even worse with the price cap on energy bills likely to rise by an eye-watering 51% on April 1 due to a sharp rise in wholesale costs.
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Petrol and diesel prices also hit record highs in the latter part of last year while the rate of inflation in the UK rose to 5.1% in October - the highest rate in a decade.
Coun Dickinson called on the Government to act immediately to protect individuals and families.
He said: "Far from working for everyone, this Government is working for a select few who seem to get richer by the minute and are insulated from the cost of living rises so many of us are seeing.
“You only have to look at the petrol pump, your fuel bill or your food shopping receipt to see that costs are rising at an alarming rate. We want the Government to act, and act now, to address this.
“It's alarming to think that, by 2026/27 the average household will be paying £3,000 more tax a year than they were when Boris Johnson became Prime Minister.
“Labour wants to see the Warm Homes Discount extended to a further 9.3 million homes, but we also need to see long term measures such as making sure homes are well insulated and cheaper to run. This will save people money and help climate change.
“We also want to raise money through a windfall tax from North Sea oil and gas producers who are profiting from the rise in energy costs.
“The solution will be a number of short and long term measures but this downward spiral has got to end and the Government should be leading this reversal.”
It is not just Labour who are calling for something to be done.
Earlier this month, Coun Wayne Daley, Conservative councillor for Cramlington North on Northumberland County Council, also called on the Government to bring in long term measures to insulate homes properly.
Responding to Mr Dickinson's comments, a Government spokesperson said: “We recognise people are facing pressures with the cost of living, which is why we are taking action worth more than £4.2bn and supporting vulnerable households through initiatives such as the £500m Household Support Fund and Warm Home Discount.
“The Energy Price Cap is currently insulating millions of consumers from high global gas prices. We’ll continue to listen to consumers and businesses on how to manage the costs of energy.”
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