WE are all facing a cost of living crisis. I keep listening to ministers sympathising, saying that they are taking action, taking 5p off fuel duty, 'helping out' but in a way that seems to benefit second and third home owners more than the average voter – and they’re now talking about tax cuts.

The reality is that our taxes are now higher than at any time since the 1940s and the poorest are being clobbered with rocketing heat, light, food and travel costs.

If we take travel as an example of government failure, and given that our constituency MP is a transport minister, in this country there is virtually no connection between travel policy and travel costs.

Privatisation of just about everything appears to prevent any real or meaningful intervention.

As an example I recently costed an 800-mile return visit to family in Devon. Driving, fuel costs only £200-plus; flying, the cost of two tickets is £330; while the rail fare for two is £420.

As a contrast because of the German government’s decision to help travellers and reduce emissions, I could buy a ticket on nationalised German Railways today which would allow unlimited travel throughout their local and regional network until the end of August for £7.75 – yes, £7.75!

That’s roughly the same as a return Stagecoach bus ticket from Thornhill to Whitehaven.

OK you might say, give the government a break, they don’t control world prices, it’s not their fault fuel costs are shooting up.

Well here is a simple, unchallengeable fact: when you next pay that £100 to fill your car, remember that £49.40 of your hard-earned money will go directly to Chancellor Sunak in tax.

Don’t tell me that 'they are doing everything they can'.

Tim Knowles
Frizington