Fuel poverty is the problem faced by households living on a low income in a home which cannot be kept warm at reasonable cost. The latest statistics show, Hyndburn has 15% of households living in fuel poverty and is in the higher proportion of areas in the country and above the England average of 13.6%. This number of households in fuel poverty will no doubt increase if the energy cap continues to increase as expected as it is forecast to be £5300 by April 2023.  This is not sustainable and will force many households in Hyndburn to make the harsh choice of heating or eating.

While the Conservatives government are missing in action and are more focused on the leadership contest battles. The Labour Party under Keir Starmer has come forward with a raft of tangible policies that would make an immediate difference to residents across the country and to residents right here in Hyndbun.

The policies announced include a stop to the Energy cap rise and this would be frozen at the current level and secondly Labour would commence a policy to insulate 19 million homes. In Hyndburn, currently over 60% of houses are Band A properties and the vast majority are historic terraced streets that have minimum insulation compared to new builds and refurbished property. This means, in Hyndburn Labour policies would make a real difference by immediately stopping rising energy bills and also would transform our area kickstarting regeneration.

When I was elected as leader of the Hyndburn Labour group, I promised Hyndburn Labour will be raising standards in public life, on policies as well as welcoming all views. As part of this, the Hyndburn Labour team are creating a working group for the creation of the local manifesto, housing regeneration is a key area that is in focus and the above statistics highlight why.

In addition according to latest figures, Inflation has hit double figures with at 12.7%, soaring to a new 40-year high as cost of living crisis deepens. This increase in mainly driven by price rises for basics such as bread, milk, cheese and eggs. Again, the Conservatives are missing in action and the forecasts for inflation is that it could increase further.

This means the lowest income households in Hyndburn are again being hit harder and that is why again urgent steps need to be taken. I think an emergency budget is a necessity with a raft of measures to help households in Hyndburn a must.

I recently joined a call on the Government to increase the Household Support Fund in places like Hyndburn. This will allow us to protect vulnerable residents from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Our latest addition after the recent by-election victory, Cllr Colin McKenzie from Great Harwood is settling into his role and is bringing another strong voice to the team. The Labour group under my leadership is ready to lead and is developing a vision that instills aspiration and has an agenda for delivery across Hyndburn, including every township.