Countries around the World are facing rising goods and energy prices, inflation, and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Many people from across North East Bedfordshire have been in touch with me, sharing their concerns for what the future holds and what the rising cost of living means for them, their family, their household and, for many, their business.
The Government have put together a package of support for people struggling with the cost of living here: Help for Households - Get government cost of living support.
I am always happy to assist you as best I can however, as your MP I am unable to provide specific financial advice and it is sometimes better to speak with another advisory organisation in the first instance.
If you require specific support, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) operates in both Bedford Borough (Citizens Advice Bedford (bedfordcab.org.uk)) and Central Bedfordshire (Citizens Advice Mid Bedfordshire (midbedscab.org.uk)), they can provide advice through their trained benefits and financial advisors. They provide general and specialist advice in the field of debt, benefits, employment, housing, family and consumer law and can carry out benefits checks to ensure you are receiving everything you are entitled to.
The Cost of Living Hub has been prepared to provide as much information as possible to support people and includes pages to assist on energy bills, household income, childcare, and transport to name a few.
IN ALL CASES, NO HOUSEHOLD SHOULD BE ASKED FOR BANK DETAILS AT ANY POINT. MINISTERS ARE URGING CONSUMERS TO STAY ALERT OF POTENTIAL SCAMS AND REPORT THESE TO THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES WHERE THEY ARE SUSPECTED OR FOLLOW THE LINKS ON THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY CENTRE HERE.