Ed Miliband on the cost of living crisis

When ministers claim the cost-of-living crisis is over, it serves only to demonstrate they understand neither the reality faced by millions of hard-working people nor the scale of the generational challenge.

Ed Miliband writing in The Independent today.  He continues:

Millions of families are caught in the crosshairs of a cost-of-living crisis: a few people at the top scoop more and more of the rewards; markets  such as energy have become uncompetitive, allowing huge prices to be imposed on consumers; and many of the new jobs being created require fewer skills, pay lower wages and offer less security. 

This Government cannot deal with these problems because lying beneath its claims of being converted to full employment is an economic ideology built on low pay, low skills, low prospects and  low productivity.

A Labour government will make the big changes needed in our economy to  tackle this cost-of-living crisis. 

Read the entire article here.

Lutterworth Food Bank

The Lutterworth Foodbank is off to a steady start. It seems amazing that in the wealthiest district in the county such a provision should be necessary. However the results of government policy have brought this about. Thanks to the cuts people are having to manage on £100 a week. Suprisingly you can get by at a subsistence level until disaster strikes e.g. the washing machine dies (who needs a washing machine I hear the Tories cry), and of course, if you are on the minimum wage , and need a car to get to work (not rare in Lutterworth) you can find yourself in the same boat.
Thanks to the hard work of Phillip Toye and a group of volunteers the Food Bank is underway. It has been supported by the Trussell Trust, a charity specializing in food banks. There has also been genrous donation or ware housing by local industry. Access to food (a three day package) is only by referral through agencies; doctor, social worker, CAB etc. Contributions, non perishable can be left at the council offices or ST mary's Church.
A great piece of work, but so sad that it is necessary.