HARLOW MP, Robert Halfon, has for many years campaigned to cut the cost of living with a higher National Living Wage, lower taxes for lower earners and freezing fuel duty – which has saved drivers £15 every time they fill up. 

With the looming cost of living crisis and bills rising, Mr Halfon has told YH that he has been extremely vocal in the national media over the weekend about what action he would like to see the Government take.

He has called for the Government to “go back to the drawing board” on the planned National Insurance increase and instead consider introducing windfall taxes on big international businesses such oil companies who are recording record-breaking profits. He said he was absolutely committed to ensuring that the NHS and social care received the extra £36 billion but instead of an increase in National Insurance Contributions, another form of financing must be considered. 

On energy bills, Mr Halfon is calling on the Government to “reduce or get rid of the green levies which amount to 25 percent of our energy costs as well as remove VAT on fuel”. He says the measures would save workers hundreds of pounds and help to ease rising bills. 

When it comes to rocketing prices of fuel at the pumps, Mr Halfon is campaigning for the Government to introduce a “Pumpwatch monitor” which would ensure fair prices at the pumps. He said this would “stop greedy oil companies ripping off motorists at the petrol pumps – by failing to reduce pump prices, even when the international oil price falls.”

The Harlow MP says that the cost of living crisis “must be the Government’s number one priority” and that he will be campaigning “every day in Parliament” to ensure the Government takes action and helps hard working Harlow residents.