Residents hit hard by rising prices

8.43.20am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Aug 2008

Local residents in this area are being hit hard by rocketing costs for food, energy and fuel.

It doesn't matter how much you earn, all of us are paying more when we buy basic groceries, pay the gas bill or fill up the car. Hardest hit of all are those on fixed incomes - especially pensioners. With the reliance in this area on cars, it is evident that rural car drivers are badly affected.

Local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman Peter Wilcock said, "Everyone I meet is worried about rising prices. There is also a lot of fear about job losses and the threat of repossessions as house prices fall. People want to see action from Gordon Brown, but nothing seems to be happening."

"Many people will wonder how energy companies can enjoy a massive subsidy at a time when many families are facing an increasingly desperate struggle to pay their energy bills. This multi-billion pound windfall should be used to protect the most vulnerable people from the effects of fuel poverty. If action is not taken now then many families are going to face an increasingly tough time paying their bills this winter."

"Gordon Brown and Labour are simply out of touch with real life in this rural area. It is time for a change."

Local Lib Dems are fighting for a better deal for local people hardest hit by rising prices. They want to see a big rise in the basic pension to make sure older people can afford to heat their homes properly this winter.

Peter Wilcock added, "Pensioners have been let down by Conservative and now Labour Governments. We need to give older people a fair deal at last."