Column 07.08.26 - Jack Abbott welcomes action to support families with the cost of living

For too many years, people in Ipswich have been looking over their shoulders, struggling to make ends meet, worried about when the next bill hits the doormat, filling up the car or doing the weekly shop.

Over the past two years, we have made significant strides cutting household bills and easing some of the pressure that global instability has placed on family finances. 

Since our Labour Government came into office in July 2024, we have expanded free school meals, rolled out free breakfast clubs in schools across the country, capped school uniform items and invested record amounts to help with the cost of childcare by expanding the number of families eligible for 30 hours of free childcare every week.

We raised the minimum wage, giving three million workers an above inflation pay rise, maintained the pension triple-lock and froze prescription drug charges, rail fares and fuel duty.

This summer, families are benefiting from the Great British Summer Savings scheme, with VAT temporarily cut on a range of days out, so families are paying less for children’s meals, kid’s tickets to cinemas and theatres and entry to attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks until 1 September. 

Children aged 5-15 are able to travel free on local bus services throughout August too!

For families in Ipswich, these savings matter. The cost of living is not just about paying the bills, it is also about whether you can afford to do things as a family and make memories with each other.

I am pleased that our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is building on the work already taken by this Labour Government over the past two years. Standing on the steps of Downing Street, he promised that the cost of living would run through the veins of his Government, with every decision tested against the impact on household finances.

He wasted no time in making good on that commitment, taking immediate action to give people a little more breathing space by scrapping VAT on domestic energy bills within 24 hours of becoming Prime Minister.

He has also announced that bus fares will be capped at £2 from January next year. For people who rely on buses to get to work, school, appointments or into the town centre, this will make a difference.

We also have to support the places at the heart of our communities like pubs, clubs and live music venues.

They create local jobs, bring people together and are a vital part of our local economy, but I know the pressure they have been under for a number of years - the number of pubs and bars fell by around 6,800 between 2010-2024.

That is why it was really encouraging to hear that pubs, clubs and music venues in Ipswich are set to benefit from an extra 20% cut to their business rates. 

This cut builds on the £4.3 billion package announced at the last Budget and the 15% cut to business rates announced in January. These rates will also be frozen in real terms for two-years, and there is a long overdue review for business rates valuations.

While I know there is more to do to support our hospitality sector, this is another important step, providing necessary relief for a vital part of our local economy and our communities. As I've said previously, I recognise about the long-standing issues that are affecting the wider hospitality sector, and I will continue pushing for further support.

I know there is still much more to do, but our Government is focused on making life more affordable and keeping more money in people’s pockets.