Milton Keynes City Council is set to declare a cost of living emergency at Full Council this Wednesday.
The Progressive Alliance, the Labour and Lib Dem coalition that runs Milton Keynes City Council has announced that it is set to declare a 'cost of living crisis emergency' this Wednesday at Full Council.
Councillors are due to 'raise their concerns' over the impact of inflation, the energy crisis, wage stagnation and mortgage rates.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Crooks will be moving the motion to declare a cost of living emergency: “The cost of living crisis is already devastating families across the city, and it is only expected to get worse.
"The harsh reality is that, in the next few months, people will have to choose between heating their homes, putting food on the table, or getting themselves into debt. I hope that my fellow councillors will join me in condemning the Government’s sheer lack of action and declare a cost of living emergency immediately.”
Councillor Jane Carr, Liberal Democrat Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for the cost of living crisis, added: “The people of Milton Keynes need reassurance as we head into an incredibly tough winter, but instead the Government has withdrawn help for families with energy bills beyond April 2023 after originally promising help to everyone for two years.
"This lack of stability has seen the Progressive Alliance step up to provide support where the Government has failed.
“By declaring a cost of living emergency, we are saying that enough is enough. Families need real practical support through this crisis.”
Councillor Emily Darlington is the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group and is Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Milton Keynes South. She concluded:
“People on the lowest incomes are being hit hardest during this crisis. The Government’s plan to cut national insurance and limit energy bill rises gives richer homes £4,700 worth of support – but poorer homes receive less than HALF of this. It’s despicable given the fact that this financial support could limit the number of families plunging into poverty.
“Central Government has failed to prove whether they take this crisis seriously, and that is why we will request a comprehensive cost of living plan that outlines how Government will best support our residents during this tough time ahead.”
