Councillors have called for more support for residents, businesses and services in the face of the cost of living crisis.
The Shadow Authority for Westmorland and Furness Council unanimously approved a motion at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday (28 September) which made a number of requests of the Government:
- To take immediate action to freeze the price cap at April’s rate, stop further increases in the price of fuel, including solid fuel, LPG and fuel oil as well as electricity and gas prices, and to tax energy firm’s profits
- To immediately reduce VAT, including VAT on energy bills
- To bring back the supplement to Universal Credit
- To implement immediate financial help/relief for small businesses to prevent imminent closures and job losses
The motion also included a call from the council for a local Cost of Living Emergency Summit, to work with stakeholders, including Citizens Advice, Food Banks, Local Trades Unions, town and parish councils and Chambers of Commerce and local MPs to explore how more local help can be provided for those struggling with the cost of living.
The approved motion requests the Chief Executive Designate of the Westmorland and Furness Council to write to the leaders of Cumbria County, Barrow Borough, Eden District and South Lakeland District Councils as well as the leaders of Cumberland, Copeland Borough, Allerdale Borough and Carlisle City councils asking them to pass similar emergency motions, so that Cumbria’s local authorities could “take a united stand’’ and secure more help for local residents and businesses.
The full wording of the motion, which was proposed by Councillor John Murray, can be read on the agenda for Wednesday’s Full Council meeting.