The government must act now to stop people across Merseyside being cut adrift over the winter.
That's the view of Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, who has joined with other regional leaders like Andy Burnham and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in demanding an emergency budget that will support people through the months ahead.
More than 50,000 people have now backed the campaign by 38 Degrees, which calls for fast government action, including an immediate boost to Universal Credit to help those who are already struggling the most.
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Mayor Rotheram said: “In less than a month’s time, our country will have a new Prime Minister and, whether it’s Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak who comes out on top, we’re yet to receive reassurance from either of them on how they plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
“Their radio silence on the single most pressing issue facing our country follows a precedent set by the outgoing Prime Minister who has been too busy dancing to Sweet Caroline and jetting off on holiday to address the fact that millions of families are struggling to survive.
"Soaring energy prices have been hitting the poorest in our society the hardest and, with bills set to soar even more, we know that it’s only going to get worse. By January more than half of households will be living in fuel poverty.
He added: "Without immediate, decisive action from this government, even more people across our region will be cut adrift by Conservative Party indifference - all while energy companies continue to make mega profits. Let’s be clear: this is not about asking for a handout - this is about giving the poorest in our communities a lifeline to help get them through the winter months. Our country is near breaking point – and regardless of whether it’s Truss or Sunak at the wheel – we need one of them to step up and hit the emergency brake.”
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been leading calls for an emergency budget, writing in the Mirror, he said: "There has been radio silence from all the Conservative leadership candidates who cannot tell us what they would do to tackle the most urgent and immediate challenge facing our country this winter: the cost of living crisis faced by vulnerable families. Millions now dread the coming months, unable to afford their heating and food bills as they fall deeper into poverty.
"This is a crisis that Britain hasn’t seen in living memory. We have been talking to dozens of charities and faith groups who are equally alarmed and agree with us on the urgency of more decisive government support."
You can sign the petition here.
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