It is on-going and ever-present. It is blighting our lives. Yes, it is the never-ending cost-of-living crisis!

As winter turns to spring, Watford residents I speak to in the High Street are still turning up their collars to the cold. Family finances won’t be getting better anytime soon.

We’re all still feeling the pinch. The essentials are becoming even more unaffordable. If your budget is like mine, then there is no slack left.

Gas prices up 129 per cent on a year ago. Electricity prices are shocking too – up 66 per cent. Petrol is 50% higher than three years ago and there are always the other costs of running a car. Insurance is up and parts too, as I know to my cost!

The other major headache which can’t be cured by simply buying a packet of tablets is 19 per cent food inflation. That’s running ahead of overall inflation, which itself remains high.

I’ve noticed for ages that what it cost me to feed my family a couple of years back has doubled. It’s hard to know what else we can cut back on.

Food Bank use is now at record levels, worse than the Covid lockdown high.

It isn’t just cost-of-living statistics that are frightening, the crime ones are too. CrimeRate reports that Watford is the second most dangerous town in Hertfordshire. Burglaries, violence and sexual offences top the list and then there’s concern about anti-social behaviour. It’s going to take far more than the Home Secretary aimlessly wandering Watford and moving the police station from Shady Lane to sort that out.

Next Thursday is local election day. The crucial question is do you feel better off than this time last year? Act accordingly.

  • Cllr Matt Turmaine is Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Watford