I HAD to pinch myself as I heard UK Culture Secretary announce the freezing of television licence fee at £159/yr for the next two years. Pinch myself as Ms Dorries said this announcement is being made in light of the recent cost-of-living rises affecting households!
Oh really, Ms Dorries, would that be cost-of-living rises brought about by your Conservative government? Like increases to National Insurance contributions, only a few weeks away. Like the removal of the £20/wk uplift to Universal Credit, like the 2% increase to prescription charges in 2021 in England (£9.35 per item). The Conservative Government of which Ms Dorries is part has just stolen £500 from pensioners by breaking their own manifesto commitment not to abolishing the triple lock on pensions. So exactly where does Ms Dorries’s “cost of living” concern come from?
READ MORE: Tory MP defects to Labour with attack on Boris Johnson
If she is to be taken seriously about her concerns,, she must speak to her colleague the Chancellor Rishi Sunak with urgency. While she has his attention she may also want to mention the abolition of VAT on fuel bills, which are about to rocket. This move would substantiate her claims to be concerned about rising in the cost of living.
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk
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