Mike Prendergast, Leader of the Conservative Group on Sefton Council and Spokesperson for Southport Conservatives, has warned that ongoing high inflation at 3.8% is continuing to hit households across Southport and the Northern Parishes, making it harder for families to make ends meet and businesses to plan for the future.
Mike Prendergast said, “Inflation at almost 4% is the silent tax that Labour has delivered, one of the few things they’ve actually grown, and for local families it’s a stealth tax on everything they buy.”
“People across Southport and the Northern Parishes are paying more for their weekly shop, higher energy bills, and ever increasing council tax, while wages and pensions can’t keep up.”
“It’s no wonder so many people are feeling worse off.”
“Labour have utterly failed to tackle inflation, most of the things they have done have actually made things worse. From giving inflation busting pay rises to their union mates to maxing out the country’s credit card with huge levels of borrowing, they continue to have the Midas touch in reverse.”
Inflation remains at almost double the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to September 2025, remaining unchanged from 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to August.
Unemployment has reached 4.8 per cent under Labour’s watch. Borrowing during the first six months of the financial year reached £99.8 billion – £7.2 billion more than the forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in March 2025.
Mike continued, “We need a credible economic plan for growth, as opposed to Labour’s plans to grow our taxes, grow debt and grow unemployment. We have to learn to live within our means, that means reducing government spending and borrowing less.”
“Households across Southport and the Northern Parishes deserve better than being left to struggle with rising prices and falling consumer confidence. It’s time for real action to bring inflation under control and support those who keep our local economy going.”
