Labour says more than 20,000 Swindon families face food and heating crisis

Swindon Labour claims 22,225 Swindon families are set to be unable to pay for heating and eating in the coming year.

The party says its analysis, based on research from the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR), reveals a staggering impact of the cost of living crisis on families in the town.

According to Labour, a quarter of households are expected to be unable to cover their planned energy and food bills from post-tax income in the financial year 2023/24.

NIESR expects middle income households to be £4,000 worse off thanks to the ongoing cost of living crisis. Labour is calling on the Government to bring in a proper windfall tax on energy giants to fund package of support for energy bills including new measure to pass on savings to households immediately, by stopping the energy price cap going up from April.

Swindon Labour Group leader Cllr Jim Robbins said:“Britain has so much potential – but we are being held back by a failing Government. One in four families this year face a choice between heating or eating – that is utterly hear-breaking and utterly unacceptable.

“A Labour government wouldn’t just be just standing around waiting for something to turn up – we’d be taking decisive action to support families in places like Swindon. 

"That means a proper windfall tax on the outrageous profits of the energy giants to fund real help for families struggling with the cost of living crisis. We would prevent the energy price cap from rising again in April, we’d help with insulation to bring down bills, and we’d put an end to the prepayment meter scandal.

“Labour has a plan to get areas like our moving again, but this government hasn’t got a clue. After 13 years it’s time for a change – it’s time for a Labour government.”