VOTERS sent a “distress call” to the government today over the soaring cost-of-living crisis, according to a snap poll.
Nearly three-quarters — 73 per cent — of those who voted in the local elections think that the government “has not done enough” to help with the rising cost of living, according to a new survey by the TUC.
The poll, carried out by Opinium as voters went to polling stations on Thursday, reveals that just 20 per cent think ministers have done enough to help people get through the cost-of-living crisis.
And among Tory voters more than half — 53 per cent — think that the government has done too little to reduce living costs, compared to 34 per cent who think ministers have done enough.
The poll of 2,500 adults also reveals that Britain’s cost-of-living crisis tops the lists of voters’ concerns.
Seventy-one per cent of people say that the cost of living is the most important issue facing the country, followed by the NHS and public services.
Commenting on the poll, Chris Curtis, head of political polling at Opinium, said that it was clear “the issue at the top of voters minds as they cast their ballots was the cost-of-living crisis, and hardly anyone thinks the government is doing enough to tackle it.”
The TUC says that the government’s response to soaring bills and prices has so far been “woefully inadequate.”
The union body is calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to urgently come back to Parliament with an emergency Budget to help struggling families.
The TUC says that ministers should impose a windfall tax on oil and gas profits to fund energy grants, boost the minimum wage, pensions and universal credit, and work with unions and employers to get pay rising across the economy.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Everyone should have enough to pay their bills.
“But years of standstill wages, and cuts to social security, have left millions at the mercy of soaring bills and prices.”
Ms O’Grady said that on local elections day, voters were sending “out a clear distress call.
“They want the government to do more to help families get through this cost-of-living emergency.”
Ms O’Grady said: “The longer ministers delay the more damage will be done.”
