Yesterday was he Labour Party’s Opposition Day in the House of Commons. Labour used the time to highlight an issue concerning every British household; and called on the government to halt the National Insurance rise before it’s too late.

The price of petrol, food and energy are still soaring, and people are worried about the future, but the Tories are choosing to increase national insurance on working people and businesses at the worst possible time.

To address the immediate crisis, I support Labour’s proposals that would bring in fully-funded measures now to reduce the expected price rise in April, saving most households in Bristol West around £200 or more.

We would not stop there.

Labour will also increase and expand the Warm Home’s Discount, targeting extra support to the squeezed middle, pensioners and the lowest earners. For more than 18,000 households in Bristol West, this would mean up to £600 off energy bills, and preventing all of the increase in energy bills currently expected[1].

We would pay for this plan with a one-off windfall tax on North Sea Oil and Gas producers who have profited from price rises. There’s more on my blog on Labour’s plan.

We must grow our economy to get us out of this high tax, low growth trap.

With Labour’s plan to buy, make and sell more in Britain, and our Climate Investment Pledge, we’ll get our economy firing on all cylinders.

I want to hear from you

I’ve set up a survey on the impact of the cost of living crisis on Bristol’s households. Please take a minute to tell me your concerns and how I can help.

[1] According to the Resolution Foundation, “The average combined impact of the freeze to income tax thresholds and the 1.25 per cent increase in personal National Insurance contributions is £600 per household