LABOUR representatives in Droitwich and Evesham are calling on the chancellor to reverse plans to abolish a fund which supports households with the cost-of-living crisis.
Over the last year, local households struggling to make ends meet received £7.8 million from the Household Support Fund to help with food and energy costs, but the towns’ Labour group believes ministers are determined to axe the fund.
Chair of the Droitwich and Evesham Labour party, Alex Knudsen and his colleagues say this will further deepen the crisis for households across Worcestershire.
Alex Knudsen said: “People in Worcestershire are already struggling with a Conservative cost-of-living crisis and recession.
“It is astonishing the Tories are planning to make things even worse by removing one of the last lines of support for families who need it.
“The Household Support Fund helps local families cover the basics – food and energy – to kick that away now isn’t just incompetence, it’s cruelty. At this week’s budget the Chancellor must think again.
“Yet the truth is the Conservatives can’t solve Worcestershire’s problems – they are the problem. Labour has a plan to get Britain’s future back. We need a general election now so we can get on and deliver it.”
The Spring budget comes as the UK economy is in recession, with Rishi Sunak’s promises of economic growth floundering.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has hinted at tax cuts to combat historically high taxation levels, while promising to produce a ‘responsible’ budget.
