Speaking on Sky News Ridge on Sunday, the transport minister acknowledged that the rising cost of living was “very significant”, but questioned estimates of how many people could be plunged into serious trouble. “I do not want to get lost in numbers here, but poverty is divided into both absolute and relative (poverty) and sometimes the way it is presented can be a bit misleading to say,” he said. “I do not want to underestimate it in any way, to shape it or to shape it because you do not need to be an expert – you are just looking at the cost of living, as you said, rising inflation … it is very important. And that’s why the chancellor has already presented 22 22 billion. “ Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:11 Does the cost-of-living crisis hurt children? “Very important” increase in the cost of living Mr Saps also hinted that there could be more support to ease the burden of growing household bills, adding that “given the chancellor’s background, I’m sure he will always look for what else he can do” to help . Read more: Retirees board buses to warm up The minister’s comments came as shadowy business secretary Jonathan Reynolds admitted he was “angry” at the cost of living crisis. Mr Reynolds also claimed that the “middle pub or hairdresser” would be up to 3. 3,000 better off if Labor were in government and handling the situation. Image: Labor calls on government to do more to alleviate growing bills “The cost of living is extreme, the government is not doing enough and people would be better off under Labor leadership,” he told Sky News’ Ridge on Sunday. “This is because we would not have increased national insurance; it is because we would have made this unexpected tax to help people with energy bills. “It’s because for business interest rates, which is a huge expense for businesses, we would have frozen valuations, we would have raised the threshold at which companies pay business interest rates. “So the average pub or hair salon, beyond what the government has done, would be about £ 2,000 to 000 3,000 better. “We would really help people now, and that would make a difference.” Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 Demonstrations have taken place across Britain against the cost of living as energy bills skyrocket across the country. Workers: Government “does not do enough” Mr Reynolds also reiterated that Labor ‘s call for an unexpected tax would give households a huge amount of financial assistance with their bills. April saw the energy price ceiling rise by a record amount to help keep up with rising wholesale prices – with bills still reflecting the impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine. It was announced in February that customers with default invoices paying by standing order would see an average annual increase of 3 693, from 27 1,277 1. to 97 1,971 £ from 1 April, while prepaid customers are experiencing an increase of 8 708 £ from 30 1,309 £ to £ 2,017. Read more: Five million households are now worried about fuel A think tank specializing in living standards has warned that the shock of the bill will push 2.5 million families in England alone into so-called “fuel stress”, bringing the total number of homes spending at least 10% of their income on energy to five millions. But the pressure from the bills is not limited to energy, as broadband, mobile and water bills, city taxes and national insurance contributions are also rising this month, with the chancellor helping to offset the pain so far. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:06 Fuel poverty lurks for families The maximum energy price increases by a record amount The Liberal Democrats urged the government to create a “safety net” for the struggling families. The party said additional support was needed for first-time buyers who had “scrambled and saved to climb the housing ladder”. Read more: What is the price cap and why bills will rise so sharply Leader Sir Ed Davey has criticized Chancellor Rishi Sunak for pushing for a planned tax increase while “people’s homes are on the brink”. “Many first-time buyers who have climbed and saved to climb the housing ladder will urgently need a safety net to overcome what appears to be months of rising mortgage costs,” he said. “We need an emergency mortgage support fund to support struggling families, otherwise we will see people being forced to go bankrupt and hand over their house keys.” Responding to the Liberal Democrats’ call, a government spokesman said: “We understand that people are struggling with the rising cost of living – we can not protect everyone from these global challenges, but we are taking action worth more than 22 22 billion this fiscal year for to help. “
