As summer draws towards a close, the focus of many of my constituents and those in Government has rightly been on the impact of the increased cost of living. Over the last few months, I have taken the time to listen to a number of constituents and local businesses who are facing immense pressure.
While many still face uncertainty, it is reassuring to see the cost of fuel locally at the pump drop across the constituency. This will have been a welcome sight to all my constituents and will have already helped to alleviate concerns. As we head into autumn, I am optimistic that the pump price will continue to drop.
That being said, I know how the increasing cost of energy that stems from the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused alarm. By restraining immediate pay rises in large sectors, we can help prevent an inflationary spiral that will only cause longer term pressures on households.
I welcome the significant support that the Government has announced to all local households. As many will already be aware, the Government is providing £37 billion in support this year to target the most vulnerable households and help alleviate high energy bills.
Looking forward it is increasingly clear that ‘green energy’ must be prioritised. We know that developing countries across parts of South America, Africa and the expansion of the Asian market will change the state of the fossil fuel markets. By investing in resilient renewable sources of power now we can protect ourselves in the future from change in global markets and increasing demand. This is being funded by green levies on fossil fuels which have recently come under increased scrutiny.
What happens next is of course the decision for the next Prime Minister, however, I would urge the next Government to address the impact of uncapped energy costs on small businesses that face great uncertainty.
Finally, as some of you will be aware, I am running the London Marathon in October. I am not a runner, but this is an opportunity to enjoy a different type of challenge, while raising money for important local causes. Though the decision was not easy, I have chosen to fundraise for The William Low Trust and The Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, as I know how valued their work is by constituents. You can find the links to both pages below:
Paul Strickland Scanner Centre
First published: My Local News, September 2022
