Campaigner calls for cost of living support as 9 in 10 people say Government hasn't done enough

Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hazel Grove, surveyed residents across Hazel Grove Constituency and found that 82% of respondents were concerned or very concerned about the rising cost of living, with almost 9 in 10 saying the Government has not done enough to support people struggling with the cost of living. Energy bills were the top of people's list of concerns, with food and petrol/diesel bills following close behind.

On visits to Stockport Foodbank's centre at Hazel Grove Baptist Church and 'The Pantry' at Queen Street in Marple, managers and volunteers told Lisa that the current situation is unprecedented, and foodbank customers were worried about keeping warm this winter.

Lisa said "I've been inundated with residents telling me they are 'dreading the winter'.The foodbank volunteers I spoke to were hard working and dedicated people offering vital support. However, the Government is simply not doing enough to combat the cost of living crisis and energy bill hikes.  We all need to pull together as a community to get through this winter and I urge everyone to offer whatever support they can to the hardworking foodbank teams."

With residents in our area set to see energy bills doubled since last winter, the next few months will be very worrying for many in Stockport, as well as for local businesses struggling with rising energy costs.

Chris Buckley, who runs 'The Pantry' in Marple, said "Despite our giving out of food having increased 4 fold since pre-Covid times, we feel that this is the 'calm before the storm' as we wait for the effects of the winter and cost of living crisis to really impact on people."

Lisa is co-hosting an emergency living costs summit in October, with fellow Lib Dem Councillor Tom Morrison. The summit will bring together charities, housing organisations, credit unions and other local and national community groups to discuss how Stockport Council can best support people through the crisis. Lisa and Tom also sponsored a motion to Stockport Council on the unprecedented cost of living crisis, which called for urgent support for residents.

The foodbank volunteers and managers told Lisa that they always need extra donations of money and tinned food and anyone who can help is encouraged to donate.