Rachael Maskell MP has written to the Chancellor ahead of tomorrow’s budget statement demanding 5-key actions to get people through the winter.

The five-point action plan is for a package of emergency support measures to help families, businesses and community groups through the crisis by limiting the impact of prices rises and building community resilience.

Research has shown that, even after the Government’s energy measures, families on means tested benefits still face a £450 gap between spiralling costs and government support.  Local community groups, that provide support to vulnerable people across the city, have told the MP they are already struggling to meet increased demand and are very concerned about the coming months.  Rachael’s five-point plan includes;

• Household Support Booster Fund – to provide additional direct support for the poorest families to stop them falling into destitution
• Warm Bank Support Fund –to enable for charities & community groups to provide spaces for people to keep warm & stay connected
• Emergency Food Bank Support Fund –to stop Foodbanks running out of food in face of 63% rise in demand & enable them to create warm spaces across the city
• Winter Schools Support Package – to enable schools to offer every child hot meals and warm spaces to keep them healthy & stop them falling behind, and to provide more childcare for families
• Business Support Guarantee – provide guarantees to businesses beyond the next 6-months & targeted relief for sectors most badly hit by cost-of living-crisis.

Rachael Maskell MP said:

“Families and businesses are facing one of the toughest winters on record and a very bleak, uncertain future.  We urgently need a positive package of targeted support measures to help people, businesses and community groups through this crisis and towards a more positive future.  Without it the only certainty is that the most vulnerable people in our community are going to suffer and many of our businesses – that have fought hard through the pandemic – are going to struggle.

“How will the Chancellor respond to this crisis in tomorrow’s statement? The answer seems to be tax cuts. If this is it, the only thing trickling down on our poorest households this winter will be cold, hunger, and intolerable stress and pressure.  It’s not good enough for our people, our businesses, our services or the community, and is completely reckless.”