Sarah Champion MP Calls on Prime Minister to Act to Support Rotherham Families

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has called on the Prime Minister to support Rotherham families struggling to make ends meet in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.

Despite huge increases in the cost of energy, fuel and food, the Government’s recent Spring Statement has been roundly condemned for failing to adequately respond to the crisis.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Sarah said:

“Every day, I hear from more and more people in Rotherham who are struggling to put food on the table, heat their homes or keep the lights on.’

‘The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that Government measures will only offset falling living standards by a third.’

‘This is the biggest financial squeeze since the 1950s.’

‘Please don’t blame Covid and Ukraine, this is down to your policies and choices.’

‘How do you sleep at night?”

Commenting, Sarah said:

“People in Rotherham are really feeling the squeeze in a perfect storm of rising prices, falling wages, and rising taxation. Sadly, this is likely to get worse before it gets better. Instead of taking meaningful action to support those facing tough times in our town, Boris Johnson has resorted to his usual mix of fudge and bluster’

‘The Government’s words about ‘standing beside’ families will ring hollow to those forced to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families. The Spring Statement was a real opportunity to act to help people in Rotherham, but the reality is that they give with one hand and take away with the other.”

Sarah continued:

“With inflation set to hit 8% next month, the Office for Budget Responsibility has projected that real terms wages will fall for workers in Rotherham by an average of £1,170. ’

‘This may not mean much to the millionaire Chancellor of the Exchequer, but it will leave many in Rotherham forced to make incredibly difficult decisions about their household spending.’

‘The Government need to face up to the scale of this crisis and act now, before it is too late.”