Our Labour MP, Andrew Lewin, was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to Panshanger Community Centre today to speak about the work this Labour Government is doing to tackle the cost of living.
In the PM’s speech to members of the public the Prime Minister spoke about his own struggles with the cost of living and his determination to deliver change needed for families across this country.
After his speech the Prime Minister answered questions from members of the community about the Government’s work on rail, energy bills and child poverty before sitting down for a cup of tea with residents.
Andrew Lewin, MP for Welwyn Hatfield, said:
“It was fantastic to host the Prime Minister in Panshanger. I know from my conversations with residents that his focus on the cost of living is exactly what residents in Welwyn Hatfield expect.
Since the Labour government was elected, we have increased the living wage, the Bank of England has cut interest rates six times, and the Warm Homes Payment has been introduced to give targeted support to lower income families with their energy bills.
From April there be further action; with £150 off every energy bill in the country, an increase in the basic rate of Universal Credit, and the end of the two-child cap – lifting thousands of children in our community out of poverty.
As well as action on the cost of living, I will continue to champion investment in public services, including my campaign for a new GP surgery as part of the Bellway development in Panshanger.
Jonny Whitehead, CEO OF Herts Young Homeless, said:
“It was great to get the chance to ask the Prime Minister about youth homelessness and how we can prevent it. He talked about the government’s homelessness strategy and the need for joined up action to prevent homelessness happening in the first place. Now we need to ramp up what’s happening in Hertfordshire.”
Ros Cloke, Welwyn Hatfield Resident, said:
“I asked Keir about the cost of energy bills. I was really pleased to hear more about the £150 the government is giving everyone in April to help with energy costs. I was also reminded that energy bills have risen since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and that his diplomatic work on the international stage to move closer to peace is not only vital for the people of Ukraine but will ultimately help ease the cost of living at home.”
Notes:
Also in attendance were other Hertfordshire MPs, Kevin Bonavia for Stevenage, and David Taylor for Hemel Hempstead.