Economic issues this decade has seen lower economic growth and higher inflation across the world, but political opportunists from other parties continue to talk our country down and not paint a fair picture of what’s happening.
Since 2010, the UK has had more economic growth than Italy, France, Japan and Germany, and our current growth forecast has been upgraded to grow at the same rate as the USA. There are almost 33 million people employed across the UK, meaning there are almost four million more people in work since 2010.
But it’s not just the number of jobs. New figures released last week show that a fifth of people were on low pay in 2015, but now this is down to a tenth thanks to the Conservatives’ introduction of the National Living Wage which rose by 9.7% this year to £10.42 and is expected to rise to over £11 next year. The best strategy is one for jobs and growth, giving people the security of higher incomes as we work to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt. Unlike Labour, who have never left office with unemployment lower than when they started, the reality is that only the Conservatives deliver an economy with both more and higher paid jobs.
We know that lower earners and those who don’t work are more impacted by global inflation, which is why the National Living Wage, the State Pension and out of work benefits have risen by the rate of inflation. The average uplift for Universal Credit households will be around £600.
Additionally, eight million of the least well-off households will benefit from Cost-of-Living payments worth £900 in 2023-24. As I write, 13,600 qualifying households in Crawley are being paid the latest £300 from these £900 cost-of-living payments. This is in the region of 30% of all Crawley households.
Winter Fuel Payments have been increased by an additional £300 and nearly three million people will receive a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount, and the £25 Cold Weather Payment has now come into effect for the winter.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
8th November 2023