Tackle the cost of living

THE LAST FEW weeks have seen unprecedented political instability. But while the headlines show a UK Tory government getting it totally wrong with their tax cuts for the rich and lack of support for ordinary people, with almost daily u-turns, the cost of living crisis continues to get worse: skyrocketing inflation, a shocking lack of affordable properties to rent and sharply increasing mortgages.

Despite raising £32 billion in tax revenue by 26/27, the new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced that “some areas of public spending will have to be cut”, without giving any reassurances or commitments to those already struggling or worrying about the gloomy economic future. The last thing we need is a return to Thatcher style austerity cuts to public services.

Many constituents are worried about access to health services, GPs and NHS dentists. I have spoken to students struggling to afford accommodation and transport while they train to work in the NHS.

I hosted a roundtable last month with 30 arts and culture organisations and they painted a grim picture. The impact of the pandemic where organisations had to close their doors, following year on year cuts to local government funding by the SNP Government, and the cost of living crisis have created the perfect storm.

We’ve recently seen the impact of that neglect with the closures of the Filmhouse, the Belmont cinema in Aberdeen, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and most recently Modern Two. These closures will be devastating, with a knock-on effect on local residents and businesses for years to come.

As we head into winter we need to see support for our communities, to help with our recovery from Covid, and to act on rocketing heating and energy bills.

Rishi Sunak the new Tory leader has no mandate to be Prime Minister – we need a general election now.