MP's SURVEY ON DOWNTURN IMPACT

11.45.00am GMT Mon 1st Dec 2008

Julia has launched a 'cost of living' survey to assess the true impact of the financial downturn in Cornwall.

The survey will give a personal perspective on how current economic difficulties are impacting on the high street and on the money in people's pockets in West Cornwall.

Important issues for local people including the money they spend on rent or mortgage payments, the increasing cost of household bills and the need for affordable housing all feature in the questionnaire. The survey also seeks people's views on policies that could ease financial pressures. Julia is calling on energy companies to put more of their record profits towards cutting fuel bills for the least well off and to spend more on helping people insulate their homes to keep costs down.

The surveys are being posted to every household in Julia's constituency over the next few weeks. To make it easier for people it can be returned by freepost or completed on this website.

Commenting, Julia said:

"Bank collapses and share prices are dominating the news headlines, but what really matters is how it the downturn is affects us in our pockets and on the high street. As someone born and brought up locally, I think it's vital to understand how the rising cost of living is affecting people.

"I'm seeing more and more people come to me with problems, and I know that the Citizens' Advice Bureaux across the county are seeing similar increases in demand for their services. This survey, and the report that will based on the information it collects, will be an important tool in understanding how the downturn is affecting Cornwall, and what measures will be of greatest help to people."