Families across Crawley are set to feel much poorer over the next two years as the Conservatives’ Autumn Statement makes the cost-of-living crisis even worse.

Research from the Resolution Foundation has revealed the average household is set to see real disposable income fall by £1,700 over the next two years – by far the largest fall on record.

That would mean a staggering £77,350,000 lost across our own community, money that people aren’t free to spend on the local economy supporting businesses and jobs.

After 12 years of Tory economic mismanagement and 12 weeks of Conservative chaos families in Crawley are set to pay the price for years to come as bills rise, inflation remains sky-high and taxes soar ever higher.

First the Conservatives crashed the economy, now at the Autumn Statement we saw a plan to make us all even poorer – but no plan for growth.

But Labour has a plan to get the economy moving. We would replace business rates with a fairer system to fire the digital economy, deliver a new industrial strategy and drive through our Green Prosperity Plan to bring down bills and help secure the jobs of the future.

This cost-of-living squeeze and reduction in disposable income comes at the same time news reports predict fuel bills may be taking nearly a third of all people’s income by spring.

And we’re trying to do whatever we can locally as a Labour council to help residents, so I want to spread awareness of the Winter Warmer hubs opening across the Borough this week, including Bewbush, Broadfield, Ifield, Langley Green, Tilgate and Furnace Green.

These will be welcoming spaces for all residents who want to save some money on energy bills, free hot and cold drinks will be available and also a charging point for anyone with mobile devices.  There’ll also be opportunities for signposting to money saving assistance for anyone who wants it.

You can check for updates on times going forward at the council’s dedicated webpage (more dates and locations may be added in coming weeks) at: http://www.crawley.gov.uk/winterwarmers

Cllr Michael Jones,

Leader, Crawley Borough Council