WARRINGTON residents are being hit hard by a drop in living standards and real incomes, according to new research.
More than 5,000 people across Chapelford, Latchford and Grappenhall were surveyed by Warrington South Labour Party, asking them to talk about their cost of living concerns. 
Labour Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, Nick Bent (pictured) and a team of volunteers hand-delivered the 5,000 letters in late December.
The survey results have now been analysed and energy bills were top of the list of concerns – 85 per cent of people said they were very concerned about the rising cost of gas and electricity bills.
Sixty two per cent said this was the bill that had risen the most in the last three years.
The rising cost of food was the second biggest worry.
Overall, 87 per cent felt they had suffered a drop in real income and living standards over the last three years, since the Coalition Government came to power.
Mr Bent said: “People tell me the cost of living crisis is happening right here in Warrington, not just in TV news headlines. Local families are paying a high price for Tory economic policies, which favour the privileged few and have slashed real earnings for most working people.”
The survey is part of a series of community events aimed at finding out more about how Warrington residents are coping with the rising cost of living.
Shoppers can give their views to Nick Bent and Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham MP at a street stall at Market Gate today from 10am to 2pm. Labour councillors and supporters will also be there to talk to residents.
Around 20,000 more survey forms will be delivered to local residents over the coming weeks.
In recent months, Labour leader Ed Miliband has unveiled a series of big new policies to give practical support to family finances and small businesses, including a freeze on energy bills, expansion of free childcare, tax incentives for firms to pay a “living wage” to workers, cut in business rates for small firms and measures to prevent firms using foreign workers to exclude or undercut local people
Energy costs the biggest worry for residents
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
