Cost of living crisis: Liz Truss urged to act on ‘tidal wave of need’

Prime minister Liz Truss has been urged to take immediate action on the cost of living crisis to address a “tidal wave of need”.

Darren Rodwell, Barking and Dagenham borough council leader, joined 10 other mayors and local leaders to demand the new PM recognise the “urgency and gravity” of the situation.

It comes after she pledged to increase jobs, tackle the energy crisis and resolve pressures on the NHS in her first speech at No10 Downing Street yesterday (Tuesday, September 6).

The letter, from the Inclusive Growth Network initiative, urged the government to reverse inequality, ensure growth includes communities across the UK, and deliver levelling up.

It states: “The local and combined authorities we represent up and down the UK are preparing to meet with a tidal wave of need this winter.

“Sharply rising energy prices are set to have a drastic impact on our residents’ living standards.

"Real incomes are already falling and inflation is expected to rise to over 13%. The imminent recession poses a severe threat to our ambitions to deliver more inclusive local economies.”

Truss faces huge pressures to announce emergency support to meet the scale of the energy crisis facing families this winter - after Ofgem announced a new October price cap of £3,549.

The letter continued: “For growth to recover from this crisis, we need to reverse inequalities – in education, health, wealth and income – that have long held back UK productivity.

“We know from experience that making sure that economic growth is inclusive is the only way the levelling up agenda can withstand the political and economic turbulence ahead.”

And the signatories stressed: “We will continue to draw on every means we have to help people get through this crisis and build for the future.

“But we cannot do this alone. We call on the new prime minister to address the cost-of-living crisis with the urgency and gravity it demands.”

The letter is signed by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham; Liverpool mayor Steve Rotherham; Bristol mayor Marvin Rees; North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll; and South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard.

Council leaders Christina Black, Belfast city council; Huw Thomas, Cardiff council; Susan Aitken, Glasgow city council; James Lewis, Leeds city council; and Marie Burns, North Ayrshire council are also signatories.

Truss is widely expected to announce energy support measures tomorrow (Thursday).

LondonWorld and NationalWorld will be highlighting the cost of living crisis and its impact on our city in a series of articles over the coming weeks.

We will be calling on our leaders - in politics, business, and our communities - to step up for our city.

And we want to hear from you, our readers, about your own experiences. How are rising energy bills, fuel costs and food prices affecting your daily life?

What worries you about the prospect of the winter ahead? And - crucially - where can the government help?

How is the cost of living crisis in London affecting you? Contact London World and speak to one of our reporters in confidence on [email protected] or via Twitter or Facebook.