The rise in the cost of living and subsequent squeeze on household finances is understandably the most frequent concern that people raise.  Global inflation is now thankfully starting to decline but it is still too high and it doesn’t mean falling prices overall, only a slower rate of increase.  The latest figures published for July confirm that inflation is down to 6.8%, down from over 10% at the beginning of the year, and now lower than the annual average wage increase of 7.8%.  The figures suggest that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is on course to meet his pledge of halving inflation by the end of this year.  

Our Conservative Government is taking action to drive down inflation, by getting more people into work to fill the large amount of job vacancies we have, by halving energy bills from what they would have been, and taking a responsible approach to the public finances, while helping households with the cost of living.  While other parties carp from the sidelines and have no real solutions, the Conservative government are sticking to their plan to halve inflation this year and get it back to the two percent target as soon as possible.

While more falls are needed and should happen, inflation is now standing at its lowest level since February last year.  To get back to the 2% target that we had become accustomed to, requires taking a responsible approach to public finances, one that I can’t see Labour taking if they win the next general election.  In fact, in the same way Labour oppose all measures to stop illegal boat crossings across the English Channel and then have the audacity to blame the government for the boat crossings, Labour keep opposing measures to curb inflation and reduce pressures on the cost of living.   

I welcome that the government are easing pressures in the economy by securing our energy supply and getting more people back into work.  This includes investing in renewable energy sources as well as increasing domestic gas production, plus increasing employment support, expanding free childcare, and removing the Lifetime Pensions Allowance.

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

23rd August 2023