Angela Eagle: More and more people are struggling to cope

Mar 18 2011

INCREASINGLY I am hearing more from constituents who tell me they are struggling. They are feeling the pinch because the cost of living is rising.

The rising cost of food, utility bills and fuel is eating into the household budget. Coupled with lower wages and the worrying rise in unemployment, I know that life for so many families in Wirral is tough at the moment.

The Government’s approach of deep and immediate cuts to tackle the deficit is having a major impact on people, while January’s VAT rise came as a further blow. I disagreed with the VAT rise to 20% then and I do now.

When it comes to the price of fuel, the VAT hike has added nearly 3p to the cost of a litre of petrol which has added to the burden for struggling families.

But one way the Government could help would be to reverse the VAT rise on fuel so this week I called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to do just that. I also think the Conservative-led Government should look again at the planned rise in fuel duty in April.

Doing this would help ease the pressure on families right across the country.

The Government says it is listening to British families. It’s time for them to prove it.