There are many things that concern people at the best of times, but the cost of living crisis we are all now experiencing is hammering families in Crawley.

On energy alone households are paying a staggering £693 extra in higher bills.- and this is set to rise even further.  Petrol and diesel prices are at a record high, food prices are soaring, often by as much as 20% and inflation has hit 9% – its highest level in 40 years.

New figures published recently from the Office of National Statistics reveal that real wages (excluding bonuses) are falling at their fastest rate in a decade. The average worker in Crawley has suffered a reduction of £683.94 in the last 12 months.

At the same time the Conservatives in Downing Street have raised taxes to their highest levels in 70 years. For local families, this is deadly serious and people need real help now.

Labour has a plan to tackle the cost of living crisis – we’d take real action to help businesses, bring down energy bills and get the economy moving again.

At a local level, one way Crawley Borough Council has tried to help is by producing a guide for residents on our website to help show people where support is available,  providing guidance on maximising your income, housing financial support, employment, managing money and debts, as well as loans and savings.  It’s worth taking a look at: crawley.gov.uk/council-information/help-money-worries

The cost of living crisis is getting worse and worse, the Conservatives are utterly failing to get a grip on falling living standards and we are all paying the price.

But Tories are so mired in scandal and busy fighting amongst themselves that they are failing to do what they were elected to do – serving the hard working families of this country and the pensioners who have given a lifetime to supporting this nation.

Cllr Michael Jones

Leader, Crawley Borough Council