‘Don’t delay giving cost of living support to struggling families,’ council told

Council chiefs in Kirklees have been urged to “act now” to help struggling families before the “timebomb” of the cost of living crisis worsens.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

At a meeting of the decision-making Cabinet (Aug 9) Lib Dems and Greens sought assurances from Council Leader Shabir Pandor that he was personally lobbying the government – and that he would write to Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark to improve the prospects of people in the borough.

In response Coun Pandor (Lab, Batley West) said the council was “regularly” lobbying government on a range of issues including the looming energy crisis and that he had had a “direct conversation” with Mr Clark at a recent meeting of the Local Government Association.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “At the moment we don’t have a functioning government. Obviously we have a new leader – a new Prime Minister – sometime in October but what we are doing is continuously making sure we are lobbying government regularly.”

The cost of living crisis is affecting many families across Kirklees.The cost of living crisis is affecting many families across Kirklees.
The cost of living crisis is affecting many families across Kirklees.

He described the crisis as a “timebomb” and said the council was pressing for the renegotiation of fuel prices. He added: “It’s a broken record: we’re doing everything we can.”

Lib Dem group leader Coun John Lawson (Cleckheaton) said the lack of a functioning government should not stop the council from lobbying and petitioning Mr Clark “in the strongest possible terms”.

He said: “It is a ticking timebomb, and we are losing weeks. You are in a unique position representing nearly half a million people in Kirklees. Will you be writing to Mr Clark and asking him to petition to scrap the price energy increase this coming autumn?”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Pandor said the council was pushing for the energy price hike to be renegotiated and would lobby via the LGA for “measures to be put in place”.

Leader of Kirklees Council Shabir Pandor.Leader of Kirklees Council Shabir Pandor.
Leader of Kirklees Council Shabir Pandor.

He added: “Come October when the weather gets colder, it’s not just going to have an impact on pensioners, it’s also going to have an impact on children and families. Already charities are stretched. You’re not just talking about food, it’s basic stuff to keep warm.

“Things need to happen very, very quickly, and we’re trying to do that. Whatever I can do as leader of this administration, I will do.”