A raft of new measures introduced by the Labour government will see wages go up, bills come down, and more support for those who need it most in Rotherham and Doncaster.

In an uncertain and volatile world, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is continuing to work with allies to push for de-escalation in the Middle East – which is the surest and quickest way to bring down pressures on prices.

Thanks to Labour’s choices, measures benefitting families across Rawmarsh and Conisbrough include:

  • Increasing the National Living wage to £12.71 – a £900 pay rise for some of the lowest earners across Rotherham and Doncaster and a boost to 2.4 million workers nationally
  • Increasing the National Minimum Wage to £10.85 – a £1,500 boost for 260,000 across Yorkshire and the Humber and over 200,000 young workers across the country
  • Cutting energy bills by an average £117 a year for residents and millions across the UK – locked in until end of June
  • The Crisis & Resilience Fund starts running – enabled by £1bn of funding – which helps vulnerable households in Rotherham and Doncaster with things like heating oil
  • A freeze on prescription prices – so locals aren’t spending more than a tenner on their medicines.

This follows the update the Prime Minister which set out five steps that were already in place to help with the cost of living. These were:

  1. Cutting the energy price cap until the end of June – thanks to last year’s Budget
  2. The Chancellor’s decision to extend the cut in fuel duty until this September
  3. £53 million for households that are most exposed to heating oil rises
  4. Building Britain’s energy security and independence
  5. Ongoing work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East.

The cut to the energy price cap comes on top of the £150 Warm Home Discount that around 6 million families will have received this winter, following its expansion last year – and eligible billpayers will continue to receive this support every winter for the rest of the decade.

The welcome news for families comes in the wake of Reform UK and the Conservatives calling on the government to jump head-first into the conflict with Iran, without thinking through consequences.

After Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch spoke out on the war, international oil and gas prices have increased, putting pressure on family finances. Through Keir Starmer’s level-headed leadership, the government rejected these calls and is working with international allies to help bring about a swift resolution to the conflict, while defending British lives and protecting British interests in the region.

And while Reform and the Tories would have had us enter the war, the Greens think the UK should leave NATO and negotiate with Putin over our nuclear deterrent. Only Labour has the credible solutions to ease the cost of living, get our NHS back on its feet, and restore pride in communities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“In an uncertain and volatile world, it is my government’s duty to protect the British people at home and abroad.

“I know the public are concerned about the conflict in Iran and what it means for them and their families.

“I want to reassure them that they have a government on their side, working with allies on de-escalation and bearing down on the cost of living.

“Today, millions of people up and down the country will see energy bills go down by £117, wages go up for the lowest paid, and more support will be available for people who need it most – because of the decisions this government has taken.

“But we must go further to bear down on costs, and that means pushing for de-escalation in the Middle East and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. That is the best way we can bring down the cost of living for families and that is my focus.”