Some good news for once because this week the Government announced that it spent £24 the billion less than it budgeted for. Brilliant I thought, the money can be used to freeze the £2,500 energy price cap which is due to rise to £3,000 next month. This would be a sensible way to spend it given that so many of us are now struggling to to pay our bills, eat properly or heat our homes adequately. Heaven knows where most of us are going to find the extra £500!

However, the Government is facing calls from many Tory backbenchers to use this money to cut taxes in pursuance of their political agenda. I hope very much that the Government resists these proposals and that our local MPs speak against them. I think it’s important that we know where they stand on this issue. Do Mr Russell (Watford) or Mr Mohindra (SW Herts) have an opinion or, as is so often the case, will they stand on the fence e.g. recent Tory leadership elections. Whatever their views they have a duty to inform their constituents.

Philip Parry

South West Herts Labour Party