Residents hit hard by rising prices

1.05.54pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 26th Jul 2008

Residents hit hard by rising prices

Local residents in Basildon are being hit hard by rocketing costs for food, energy and fuel.

It doesn't matter how much you earn, all of us are paying more when we buy basic groceries, pay the gas bill or fill up the car. Hardest hit of all are those on fixed incomes - especially pensioners.

Local campaigner Ben Williams said, "Everyone I meet is worried about rising prices. There is also a lot of fear about job losses and the threat of repossessions as house prices fall. People want to see action from Gordon Brown, but nothing seems to be happening."

"Gordon Brown and Labour are simply out of touch with real life in Basildon. It is time for a change."

Local Lib Dems are fighting for a better deal for local people hardest hit by rising prices. They want to see a big rise in the basic pension to make sure older people can afford to heat their homes properly this winter.

Ben added, "Pensioners have been let down by Conservative and now Labour Governments. We need to give older people a fair deal at last."