Keir Starmer slams cost-of-living and energy price rises and talks CAZ in visit to Bury
31.03.2022 - 21:25
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Labour leader Keir Starmer chose Bury to launch his party’s local election campaign today before meeting shoppers and traders in nearby Ramsbottom.
Sir Keir, accompanied by deputy leader, Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner, called for a windfall tax on energy companies as most households face massive increases in bills after price changes come into place tomorrow.
He said taxing higher than expected profits on North Sea gas and companies could be used for a saving of up to £600 for each household. In a speech ahead of local elections to be held in all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs on May 5, the Labour leader said his party is ‘on your side’, while attacking government policies for leaving households across the country thousands of pounds worse off this year.
He said: “In exactly five weeks, you get the chance to send the Tories a message they cannot ignore. A message that Britain deserves better than the pathetic response we got to the Conservative cost-of-living crisis in the mini-budget.
“You know the reality, prices are going through the roof, and wages are going through the floor. This is a Conservative government that takes far more than it gives to working people.
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“The biggest drop in living standards since the 50s. Taxes the highest in 70 years. Even allowing for everything the Chancellor announced, families are £2,620 worse off. Britain deserves better than this.”
The party leaders then went on a walk through Ramsbottom, meeting staff and customers at four shops and cafés before visiting the recently restored war memorial at St Paul’s church.
There was also time to pet a passing dog and speak to its owners and to greet a mother and