New analysis from Hounslow Labour, based on research by Nationwide, reveals the staggering impact of the cost of living crisis for households across the borough. More than 1 in five households have less than £100 spare each month – twice as many as two years ago. 69% of families are more worried about their finances than last year as energy bills have risen 63%, fuel by 39%, food by 32%, rent by 26% and mortgages by 22%

In Autumn 2022, the Conservative government crashed the British economy unleashing runaway inflation and soaring mortgages. That kamikaze budget followed more than a decade of low growth.

Despite these challenges, your Labour-run Hounslow Council have ensured a balanced budget year after year, while also thinking outside the box to strengthen vital Council services. Whether it be our Council Tax Support Scheme which aims to provide 100% support to those most vulnerable in the borough, our support for the poorest families across Hounslow during the school holidays, our Cost of Living workshops or our Warm Homes initiative, Hounslow Council works hard to ensure a secure future for our residents in Hounslow.

Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat said:

“The cost of living crisis is still hammering families in Hounslow. The Tories are too busy fighting like rats in a sack to notice but for those of us in the real world, the toxic combination of high tax, low growth, stagnant wages and rising prices, rents and mortgages has left local families with less money at the end of every month.

“First they crashed the British economy, now this Government has simply given up, but Labour has a plan to get Britain building again. We would kick-start growth by stabilising the economy, backing British business and making work pay.

“It’s time to turn the page on more than a decade of Tory failure. It’s time for a General Election. The UK Government is not functioning, but your Labour Council is – the country now needs a Labour Government to support Councils like Hounslow to deliver the high level of public services that residents deserve.”

Notes:

• Nationwide’s poll revealed:
• More than one in five households have less than £100 spare each month
• 69% of families more worried compared to last year
• Since 2021, average family energy bills have risen by 63%, fuel by 39%, food by 32%, rent by 26% and mortgages by 22%
• Percentage of families with no spare cash at the end of each month almost doubles between 2022 and 2023
• https://www.nationwidemediacentre.co.uk/news/nationwide-reaffirms-cost-of-living-support-as-poll-shows-cumulative-impact-of-rising-bills-on-typical-british-family
• There are 105,900 households in Hounslow. 1 in 5 represents an estimated 21,180 with less than £100 at the end of each month.