James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, has been shocked by new research showing that the cost of living has risen hugely under the current Government.
According to new research published by the Conservative Party, since Gordon Brown became the Prime Minister last July:
• The price of butter increased by 37%
• The price of a dozen eggs increased by 34%
• The price of a loaf of bread increased by 28%
• The price of a pint of milk increased by 17%
On top of this, the rising tax burden under Gordon Brown has meant people’s spending power has been ever more limited. Indeed, since Brown became the Chancellor in 1997 the average family’s taxes have risen by £5,400.
Speaking today, James said:
“We are lucky in Southend that our Council has the 10th lowest council tax of any council in the country. That’s a huge testament to the ability of our Council to keep services up and costs down.
“But the Council doesn’t operate in a bubble and the national picture is not looking good. In a modern economy a government can’t control the cost of living directly, but it can avoid making it worse. Labour now seem so out of touch with the lives of working people that they just keep piling on the misery, with an extra £110 of taxes a year in the Budget for the average family.
“Even with a high-performing council like ours, Southend residents will be feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living when they go out to buy a pint of milk or fill up their car. We need a long-term plan to fix the country’s finances and make sure public money is spent properly.”
11 April 2008