Survey says Banbury and district could have more than 9,000 households 'seriously struggling' with cost-of-living

The district Labour group says at the national level the Conservatives are ignoring the day-to-day impact of the cost-of-living crisis as they go through their leadership battle.

Cherwell Labour has highlighted research conducted by Bristol University and Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust that has found that rising prices have pushed more people into ‘serious financial difficulties’ than the pandemic.

A total of 4.4m households - one in six across the country - are now estimated to be in such difficulties, up 1.6m over the last nine months, with single parents, renters, people with disabilities, and families with three or more children the groups facing the most difficulties.

Labour’s district council group leader Sean Woodcock said: “Every family in Cherwell is feeling the pinch from the cost of living crisis and these figures reveal that 9,250 households are seriously struggling to make ends meet.

“Families in Cherwell need a government focussed on the cost of living crisis and providing real help. Their leadership contest has nothing to say about the real concerns of people in Cherwell. Instead it’s all fantasy tax cuts for big business and invented, irrelevant controversies.

“Britain needs a fresh start. Labour has a plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis starting with an emergency budget. We would cut VAT on energy bills, insulate 19m homes, cut small business rates and ensure we buy, make and sell more in Britain.”