New analysis from Crawley Labour, based on the latest Legal and General Rebuilding Britain Index survey, reveals that 5,915 households in Crawley – more than one in ten – have nothing left to cut back in the face of future energy price hikes; with 22,295 households (49%) being concerned about being able to keep up with rent or mortgage payments over the next 12 months.

On top of this, 31,395 (69%) are being forced to make additional cutbacks on their household budgeting

The analysis comes ahead of a predicted 64% energy price cap hike in October.

These figures are frightening. The cost of living crisis is spiralling out of control, and families in Crawley are bearing the brunt.

Escalating energy prices and the impact worsening weather conditions will have on household bills are all entirely foreseeable for later this year. But instead of making plans to address this in time, the Tory Government has instead gone off on holiday, an unforgivable dereliction of duty.

After twelve years of Conservative rule the country is in total crisis.  Adding to the problems are the ridiculous statements being made by the likes of Liz Truss seeming to resolutely refuse to do anything about the problem.  (And like Johnson she will end up being forced to when it all goes wrong, a familiar pattern in recent governmental decisions).

I’m starting to wonder if the Tory leadership contest is actually about which candidate can open their mouth and say the most moronic thing possible that’s totally detached from reality.  If so, they’re really pushing the boundaries already.

People need real help – but the Conservative Government is missing in action and the people who want to run it totally clueless about what this country needs.

Labour has a plan – we’d cut VAT on energy, insulate homes to bring down heating costs, slash small business rates and build an industrial strategy around buying, making and selling more in Britain.  All things that would really benefit Crawley people.

We need action now – or better yet a change of government and an end to more than a decade of failure.

Cllr Michael Jones

Leader, Crawley Borough Council