ROB Halfon has called for a new social tariff and warned many businesses will go under due to the cost of living crisis.
The Tory MP for Harlow in Essex says that whoever wins the race to Number 10 needs to perform a “huge scale intervention”.
In an interview with GB News Breakfast (on Saturday) he said: “We are facing a triple whammy which is hitting families, the public sector and small businesses.
“In my region in Harlow in Essex, I’ve spoken to the owners of takeaways and restaurants who say their fuel bills are almost tripling. My local GP surgery is seeing its energy bill rise from £10,000 to £24,000. Schools are unable to recruit staff as they are facing incrased energy costs.
“What the Government therefore needs to do is to introduce a social tariff for the vulnerable and those who are ‘just about managing’. And we also need a small business tariff because although big businesses can absorb this, small businesses cannot.”
Mr Halfon, who is backing Rishi Sunak to be PM, said he felt it was right that the leadership contest should continue despite the scale of the growing crisis.
And he is refusing to accept Liz Truss has the race wrapped up.
He said: “Rishi visited my constituency last week. There are a lot of people who still haven’t decided who to vote for. Many have also decided to vote for Rishi having had Liz in mind initially. So I think it’s right for the contest to continue. But whoever gets in must take large and immediate action.
“Rishi proved when he was Chancellor, with the package he delivered, that he is willing to support people.”
Mr Halfon’s comments come as a new GB News poll revealed
It found the Labour Party has a 14-point lead over the Tories.
The GB News People’s Poll found 40% of voters would vote Labour in a general election, while 26% would vote Conservative, 11% for the Liberal Democrats, and 6% for the SNP.
When asked who would be the best Prime Minister given a choice between them, 41% said Sir Keir Starmer and 22% said Liz Truss.
Asked to choose between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir, 40% opted for Sir Keir and 23% said Sunak.
People were asked what word or phrase first came to mind about Liz Truss and the top result was “untrustworthy”.
The GB News People’s Poll was conducted by People’s Polling and the results were first shown on Breakfast with Stephen Dixon and Anne Diamond.
