In the wake of yet another Prime Ministerial resignation, people in West Yorkshire and across the country are suffering.
They don’t have the time to wait for the outcome of another Tory Party leadership election before deciding whether to heat their homes or feed their families.
It should be a basic human right – in the sixth richest country in the World – to be able to do both of those things.
And it’s inhumane that our Government cannot support people and families to do that.
When our national leaders go AWOL, we as regional leaders must step into the void.
That’s why today I’m bringing forward emergency support to keep vital services, such as food banks and warm spaces, running this winter.
This lifeline for the most vulnerable will be delivered with our partners, West Yorkshire’s five local councils, who are now facing the threat of even further budget cuts from Government.
While our zombie government fails to support those in need and even considers another cut to benefits, this money will be spent on the ground by our charities and community groups on food, energy and advice for those in debt or struggling with their mental health.
But we should never have been put into this position as a country.
It’s heart breaking to see children in our region going to school hungry and coming back to cold, damp homes.
And I’m shocked to hear of pensioners living in freezing homes, too worried about energy bills to even make a slice of toast.
Our communities are facing perilous decisions this Winter and I’m worried people will die needlessly.
That’s why I’m appealing to the Conservative Party to salvage whatever conscience they have left to provide urgent, targeted support to the most vulnerable.
As a bare minimum they must increase Universal Credit in line with inflation. It’s the least they can do after taking £1,000 per year away from people after the pandemic.
People need this money now more than ever, and it’s simply immoral to continue to resist a windfall tax on the obscene profits of oil and gas giants, when our very poorest in society simply cannot afford to live.
As a regional leader, I say to the people of West Yorkshire that we will stand by you and do everything we can to support you during this cost of living crisis.
The government needs to end this chaos and step up. And if the next Prime Minister can’t do that, then they should move aside and allow the country to elect one that can.
As a regional leader, I say to the people of West Yorkshire that we will stand by you and do everything we can to support you during this cost of living crisis.
But it’s really time for the government to play their part because people desperately need help now.
