Call to action to tackle cost of living crisis in West Lothian

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Work to help tackle the cost of living is top of the agenda for a group of community leaders.The impact of rising costs has been felt by large numbers of people across the country.In August 2022, inflation rose to 10.1 per cent, the highest rate observed in the last 40 years.

Rising oil and gas process, disruption in global supply chains and high inflation are just some of the main drivers behind the hardships being felt within communities.The West Lothian Community Planning Partnership (CPP) is a collective group of local organisations which includes West Lothian Council, Community Planning Partners and representatives from the Third/Voluntary Sector.At a meeting of the CPP Board last week, they reaffirmed their commitment to helping where they can and to ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to ensuring as much support as possible is in place for local people.A short life working group is being set up to look at opportunities to support local people affected by the cost of living crisis in West Lothian."A Cost of Living Crisis Conference will also be held soon so that all partners, the third sector and members of the public with an interest in this area of work are given the opportunity to work together to consider how we can best work together to support those households experiencing poverty.Depute Leader of West Lothian Council Kirsteen Sullivan said: “What’s clear is that the rising cost of living is going to present enormous problems for households the length and breadth of the UK.“The scale of the challenge to help tackle these issues at a local level should not be underestimated, especially as funding available to local authorities is limited."The fact is many of the most effective long-term