MPs concern ar rising prices (Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats)

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Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats <Brian.Thomas@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk>

MPs concern ar rising prices

September 23, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Ceredigion's Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams has this week joined forces with Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP to express his concern at the effect rising prices are having on families.

The duo teamed up at Liberal Democrat Conference this week to urge for help for those struggling to pay their bills, as the party met to discuss plans to lower tax for low and middle income earners. Liberal Democrat research has indicated that a small grocery basket, containing staple food items such as butter, eggs, bread, fruit and biscuits, as well as one luxury item - a pack of croissants, would cost £12.24 - up 26% from this time last year.

Commenting, Mark Williams said: "Everyone will be aware from their weekly shop that prices have been going up, but this demonstrates just how extensive these price rises have been. One small basket of groceries is now 26% more expensive than this time last year. "We need to be doing more to help people in their everyday lives, such as keeping fuel bills low, improving pensions, and most importantly understanding that people on low incomes shouldn't be paying a higher proportion of their income in tax than the city high-fliers that have put us in this mess. "The Government have failed to protect our poorest citizens, and it is not a surprise that there is such widespread disenchantment.

"Problems with global food production are largely out of our hands, but there is still a lot more that could be done to help ordinary people at this time, and I am pleased that the Liberal Democrats are listening and responding to these serious issues."