Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, made a visit to Milton Keynes yesterday (3/2), to catch up with residents.
Yesterday, Keir Starmer made a visit to the Frank Moran Centre, Bletchley, to listen to local residents about their concerns, and to put forward solutions from the Labour party.
A spokesperson for Labour Councillors across the Bletchley East, Bletchley West and Bletchley Park wards wrote on social media: "Was delighted to help welcome the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to West Bletchley earlier.
"He met with local residents and listened to their very real concerns over the cost of living crisis and the totally inadequate government response to the energy price hike announced earlier today.
"He was very impressed with residents and the Frank Moran Centre and the service the Labour led parish council are providing in partnership with MK council."
The visit comes amid the news of rising energy bills.
Reported by Sky News, energy regulator Ofgem announced on Thursday that prices are set to soar by 54% for 22 million households from the beginning of April, adding £693 to the annual costs of a typical household.
Prompting an announcement from the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced a new package including a £200 discount for households nationally on their bills which will be paid back in £40 instalments over the next five years.
Plans also include a £150 council tax rebate in April to help with the cost of energy, this will will not need to be repaid.
In response to the announcements, Milton Keynes Labour wrote on Facebook, along with their thanks to Keir Starmer, that: "The Labour Party would introduce a windfall tax on the North Sea oil firms, saving households £600. And while the Government fail to take sufficient action, our local Labour-led Council is stepping in and supporting those who need help as energy prices rise.
Local Conservatives responded to Rishi Sunak's announcement saying that they are 'committed to decreasing the tax burden on households'.
They predict that thousands of MK residents will be given rebates on their council tax.
Cllr Alex Walker, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: “The rising cost of living is number one on people’s minds and locally, the Labour and Liberal Democrat Council have only made this worse by substantially increasing council tax.
"It is right that the Government is stepping in to ease the burden on people’s pockets and residents in MK will now benefit from a £150 council tax cut.”
Councillor Rob Middleton, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Resources, responded to this statement from the local Conservatives saying: “The Conservative Government today (3/2) announced a Council Tax rebate that is nothing short of an insult to the residents of MK.
"At a time when residents are seeing their energy bills skyrocket by 75%, are paying hundreds more every year on their weekly shop, and many are facing paying an extra £500 in National Insurance contributions, this Council Tax rebate is a paltry sticking plaster.
"Rather than attending parties in Downing Street, and wasting £4 billion of taxpayers money through COVID fraud, they should get a grip. Hard pressed residents need a real plan from the Prime Minister to tackle this Cost of Living crisis. This Council Tax rebate is an embarrassment. ”
