Gordon MP Richard Thomson hits out at cost of living crisis

Pensions and social security payments require urgent review, says Gordon MP Richard Thomson, as the cost-of-living crisis and inflation continue to eat into household budgets.

With CPI rising to 5.5 percent in January, and some analysts predicting an inflationary spike of eight percent in April, strains are already beginning to show as households try to manage the effect of price increases.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that as inflation hits a 30-year high, out of work support is at a real-term 30-year low and April’s ‘uprating’ will only increase these by 3.1 percent - less than half of expected inflation.

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mr Thomson argues those on the lowest incomes will be worst equipped to deal with increasingly difficult circumstances.

Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said: “Pressures on household incomes are only increasing, as inflation bites and bills spike.

"Energy, food and fuel are necessities of life - and those on the lowest incomes simply can’t ‘tighten their belts’ further.

"The UK Government urgently needs to address the disparity between pensions and social security payments, and the predicted eight percent jump in inflation by April.

“This comes on top of the £20 a week cut to Universal Credit and the scheduled increase to National Insurance contributions.

"Food banks nationwide are experiencing a surge in demand already - we need to see action to address the cost-of-living crisis.”

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