With the beginning of the new financial year this month, many of this Labour Government’s actions to support people here in Luton South and South Bedfordshire with the cost of living have come into effect.
In a time of heightened uncertainty due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the government’s efforts to drive down the cost of energy bills have been more important than ever. Thanks to action taken at the budget to lower the price cap, the average household is now saving £117 on their energy bills and will be protected against increases until July.
As well as this, the government has frozen prescription charges at under £10 and frozen rail fares- saving commuters £400 on an annual season ticket from Luton to London. After years of the price of these day-to-day essentials spiralling, I’m proud to support Labour’s action to step in and cut costs for working people in Luton South and South Bedfordshire.
Another landmark decision taken at the budget came into effect this month- the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap. This was a cruel policy, pushing children across the country into poverty and limiting their futures. With its removal, I’m incredibly pleased that over 5,000 children and their families in Luton South and South Bedfordshire are set to benefit.
Retaining its commitment to the triple lock, the Government has ensured a £575 increase in the State Pension for over 12 million pensioners across the country. By the end of this Parliament, this will be a total £2,100 increase- offering key support to pensioners in our communities.
A central mission of this Labour Government is to make work pay, so I’m proud to see record wage increases introduced this month. Over 2.4 million workers on the National Living Wage will see a £900 increase, and a further 200,000 on Minimum Wage will see a £1,500 boost. Alongside our historic Employment Rights Act, which is bringing into force rights to sick pay, parental leave and paternity leave from day one, ending fire and rehire practices and removing exploitative zero hours contracts, the Government is making work more secure and ensuring hardworking people get what they deserve.
Luton South and South Bedfordshire is a young constituency, so one of my key priorities as your MP is building better opportunities and a better future for our young people. Through the recently expanded Youth Guarantee, which offers young people out of work or education for eighteen months guaranteed employment, this Labour Government is supporting young people to get back on track. As well as this, the Government has introduced a new cap on the interest rate for Plan 2 and 3 student loans to protect graduates from rising costs and is investing in Youth Hubs across the country. I’m very proud to have secured funding for a new Youth Hub right here in Luton, bringing together employment, skills and wellbeing support for young people across our town.
Still to come is the implementation of our Renters’ Rights Act from the beginning of May, which will deliver a once in a generation uplift to renters’ rights across the country. This will mean an end to no-fault evictions, bidding wars, and landlords demanding many months’ rent upfront, as well as increased protections against discrimination. With many people across Luton South and South Bedfordshire living in rented accommodation, this will be crucial for our area.
Overall, I know that the cost of living is the top concern for many of my constituents. That’s why I’m so pleased this Labour Government’s decisions are beginning to deliver for Luton South and South Bedfordshire- not only taking action to tackle this in the present but also paving the way for a more prosperous and equal future for the next generation.