Statement from Cornwall cost of living summit to be sent to new Prime Minister
The summit is calling on Cornwall's MPs and PM Liz Truss to help with the rising cost of living
Last updated 5th Sep 2022
A cost of living summit is calling on the new prime minister to address the problems Cornwall is facing and come up with a solution on how to solve them.
The event was held at University of Exeter's Penryn Campus, to discuss the issues and solutions to the cost of living crisis in the Duchy and come up with a robust plan of action.
Part of the summit pledge is to send a letter statement to each of Cornwall's MPs and the new Prime Minister Liz Truss, stating the problems the Duchy is facing with rising costs.
It brought together over 50 people including representatives from many groups such as foodbanks, volunteer groups and charities. Everyone attending was invited to share what they are currently doing to help communities and businesses.
Gill Pipkin, from Citizens Advice, one of the groups at the summit, told us: "I think what is particularly scary is the number of people coming to us who don't have enough money coming in that is in salary or benefits to pay the essentials that is rent, energy and food.
"There'll be more redundancies, more people struggling which will put more pressure on the state as more people need to rely on benefits and support so it ends up being a sort of lose lose scenario all round. We really need to get help out to people now to stop things getting worse".
The summit will be sending their full statement to the new Prime Minister along with six of Cornwall's MPs. It's as Liz Truss has been announced to be the new Prime Minister for the United Kingdom.
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Cllr Linda Taylor, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board, told us:
“It is a crisis but I'm very confident that our new Prime Minister Liz Truss has been hearing this every single day while she's been out campaigning so she has promised that we are going to be hearing some meaningful measures. It is critical that we start to hear some reassurances and what is going to be available".
Cllr Linda Taylor said:
“This is why we must act now, as a countywide partnership, to pool resources, experience and knowledge so we can provide a safety net to as many people as possible.
“We recognise that our combined powers and financial resource will not be enough to help everyone with rising energy bills and living costs so we will also be calling on the new Prime Minister to do everything in their power to help alleviate the pressure on people.
“Only by working together can we weather this storm.”