ONE of Warrington’s MPs has told Parliament that her constituents have been ‘battered by this Tory cost of living crisis’.

Warrington North MP made the comments in a debate on the UK economy in the House of Commons yesterday, Monday.

The Labour MP also said that this is leaving businesses in the town ‘on the brink’, particularly pubs and those in the hospitality sector.

The Government responded by saying that it is introducing a series of measures to reduce food inflation.

Ms Nichols said: “News that the UK is officially in recession comes as no surprise to my constituents, who have been battered by this Tory cost of living crisis.

“Food inflation is still double the headline rate of inflation, and that is not only affecting the price of the weekly shop, but having a hugely negative effect on my local pub and hospitality sector, with many businesses on the brink.

The comments were made in the House of Commons by Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols

The comments were made in the House of Commons by Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols

“Instead of their fantasyland spinning that everything is going fine, what measures will the Government introduce to bring food inflation down?”

In response, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Bim Afolami commented: “As I have said many times this afternoon, inflation is a target for this Government.

“We aim to ensure that we continue to bring it down, and indeed we expect it to get to two per cent in the coming months.

“In relation to food inflation specifically, at the last fiscal event we introduced full expensing which will enable food manufacturers, supermarkets and others to increase their investment hugely, because it completely nets off against their tax—100 per cent of the cost of their investment is netted off.

“The impact will be increased investment that will reduce their costs and reduce the cost of food in our shops.

“That is one of many measures that we are introducing to reduce food inflation.”