Households in the Islwyn constituency are being stretched to breaking point, Labour MP Chris Evans has claimed.
Mr Evans made the claim during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday January 15 where he called on David Cameron to do more to help families struggling with the cost of living.
He said: “Constituents tell me all the time that they cannot afford food, cannot afford to keep warm in winter and cannot afford to put petrol in their cars to go to work, all because their wages are not going far enough. Does the Prime Minister finally accept that the cost of living is stretching families in Islwyn and constituencies such as mine to breaking point?”
Mr Cameron responded: “I totally accept that we are still recovering from the great recession that took £3,000 out of the typical family’s income, but what we are seeing now is more people in work, including in Wales. We are seeing real wages starting to rise, and I think that we can be confident. Yes, it is difficult; yes, it is still hard work; but our economy is growing, and we want that to be a recovery for everyone in our country.”
According to Mr Evans, wages in Islwyn have decreased by more than £1,600 on average since 2010 while the cost of an average dual fuel bill has risen by almost £300 per household.
Speaking after PMQs, Mr Evans said: “I have heard countless stories from constituents who tell me that the extortionate cost of food means that they simply cannot afford the weekly shop.
“At the same time, households across Islwyn will be soon receive their winter fuel bill which has increased by almost 40% in just three years.
“With prices failing to keep up with wages, the reality is that under this Government the cost of living is stretching families in Islwyn to breaking point.”
I wish MP's were required to undergo elocution lessons at their own expense so they can speak with RP. It is embarrassing and cringe worthy watching an MP speak and only pronounce about 50% of his words correctly. ultimately it comes down to bad speech and bad pronunciation more than it does accent.