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Lib Dems can deliver actual savings, Makerfield candidate says
TL;DR
The Liberal Democrat candidate for Makerfield, Jake Austin, claims the party can provide real savings to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. He emphasized the importance of addressing rising costs and mentioned a plan to halve energy bills if elected.
Key points
- Liberal Democrat candidate Jake Austin emphasizes cost-of-living issues
- Party plans to halve energy bills if elected
- By-election for Makerfield set for 18 June
Mentioned in this story
Jake AustinLiberal DemocratsMakerfield
by-election
The Liberal Democrat candidate for the Makerfield by-election has said the party can "deliver actual savings" to help people out of the cost-of-living crisis.
Jake Austin told BBC Radio Manchester it was "the key issue that everybody is talking about" on the doorstep, adding: "It's how much things cost, it's how difficult it is to get by these days."
The Wigan-born councillor, who represents Hazel Grove on Stockport Council, said the party recently released a plan to halve energy bills if they get into power.
Austin was speaking as part of a series of interviews with candidates from the major parties standing in the poll, which will take place on 18 June.
Asked about his views on immigration, Austin said he believed it was something that "brings benefits to the community", adding: "Many of our NHS workers are immigrants."
Austin said there had to be "controls" but added that the UK should be "welcoming to people who contribute to our society".
In an area which voted heavily for Brexit, Austin was also asked if he favoured rejoining the EU.
He said nobody "wants to revisit the Brexit vote of 10 years ago".
"What people want to see is cost of living reductions to help them live," he said.
"The Liberal Democrats last week made an amendment to the King's Speech that would have pushed the government for a customs union with the European Union, that would have given us £25bn extra into the economy."
With Andy Burnham widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he is successful in the Makerfield by-election, Austin said he was "frustrated" and added that both Labour and Reform UK were taking "voters for a ride".
"I was born in Hindley and grew up in this area and I am angry," he said.
He said he believed Burnham was "doing this as a bid to become prime minister", while "on the Reform side, you have a party too busy sowing hate and division to be able to represent people".
"I think people deserve a proper Liberal Democrat alternative," he added.
"Let's get politics back to normal."
The by-election was called after the area's MP Josh Simons stood down.
A full list of the candidates for the by-election can be found here.
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Q&A
What savings does the Liberal Democrat candidate propose for the cost-of-living crisis?
The Liberal Democrat candidate, Jake Austin, proposes a plan to halve energy bills to help alleviate the cost-of-living crisis.
When is the Makerfield by-election scheduled to take place?
The Makerfield by-election is scheduled for 18 June.
What are Jake Austin's views on immigration and its impact on the community?
Jake Austin believes immigration brings benefits to the community, noting that many NHS workers are immigrants.
