Kevin Lang launches major inquiry into the cost of living in Edinburgh North & Leith

3.54.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 3rd Aug 2008

High mortgage and rental costs are adding to the rising cost of living.

Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh North & Leith have today launched a major inquiry into the rising cost of living, pledging to carry out one of the biggest ever surveys of public opinion in the city.

The inquiry will focus on how the increased cost of living has impacted on local people and how residents have changed their spending habits because of increased bills.

Over 40,000 surveys will be sent to residents across Leith and North Edinburgh over the next four weeks as part of the inquiry, covering the issues of rising fuel costs, food prices, mortgage and rent costs. Key organisations, including the Citizens Advice Bureau and Help the Aged, will also be asked for their views on how rising costs are affecting local people.

The inquiry is to be chaired by Kevin Lang, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Edinburgh North & Leith. He said,

'Over the last few months, I have spoken to thousands of local people right across Edinburgh North & Leith who are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living. The increased price of the weekly shop, higher petrol costs and rocketing household energy bills have left more and more people struggling to get by.

'The Labour Government seems completely out of touch when it comes to the rising costs of living. Rather than providing help to hard working families, Labour has added to the problem with their unpopular tax plans. They remain committed to the discredited council tax, which hits those on low and fixed incomes. Gordon Brown also scrapped the 10p income tax rate, effectively doubling the income tax for some of Edinburgh's lowest earners.

'That is why we have launched this inquiry into the cost of living, which will help us to better understand how rising costs are affecting people in their everyday lives. It is one of the biggest ever surveys of public opinion carried out in Edinburgh.