Alex Norris MP column: Labour is helping families with the cost of living this summer
Last month, the Chancellor announced a further range of measures to support working people with the cost of living.
Recently we have seen strong economic figures showing we are the fastest growing economy in the G7 so far this year, with growth up to 0.6 per cent for the first three months of this year and beating forecasts in March, despite the Iran War.
This follows the news that NHS waiting lists have fallen to their lowest in three-and-a-half-years.
Due to decisions made by the Government there have been six consecutive interest rate cuts, the Government are set to reduce the deficit by £20bn and support households with £150 off energy bills.
On top of this, rail fares and prescriptions have been frozen, the fuel duty freeze extended twice to save drivers £90, and the National Minimum Wage and state pension have been increased.
Nonetheless, we must go further to support households and I was glad to see the Chancellor unveil further support measures like extending the five pence cut on fuel duty for the rest of the year.
By the end of this year the cut will have saved the average driver £120.
The conflict in the Middle East has also pushed up costs for hauliers who keep Britain’s shelves stocked.
The Chancellor is giving hauliers a 12-month road tax holiday – meaning they will pay £1 at renewal, saving £600 for a typical heavy lorry and £912 for the biggest vehicles on the road.
Farmers, rail freight, and other red diesel users will also see their fuel duty cut by over a third until the end of the year.
And the Chancellor has announced a 10p per mile increase in tax free mileage rates, backdated to April 2026, benefiting those who need to drive for work, from care workers to plumbers.
The Government also recognises that what matters for families is not just getting by but being able to enjoy time together without worrying about the next bill.
The Chancellor therefore announced Great British Summer Savings – cutting VAT to five per cent on children’s menu meals and children’s tickets for cinemas, theatres and concerts from June 25 to September 1.
Adults and children can also enjoy amusement parks, wildlife parks, museums, soft play centres and a wide range of other attractions for less.
Kids aged five to 15 years-old will also get free bus travel in England this August, making it more affordable for people to get out and about.
Finally, I know from many conversations with local residents that concerns about the cost of the weekly shop and tackling profiteering by large companies is a priority.
To address this the Government is taking action by suspending tariffs on over 100 different foods sold in supermarkets.
The Government will not tolerate any company exploiting the current situation to make excess profits at consumers’ expense, so we are bringing forward tough new powers so that the Competition and Markets Authority and other regulators can take action when firms break the rules.