Mark Oaten Raises Constituents Concerns on the Cost of Living

Mark Oaten spoke at length in the House of Commons on Wednesday highlighting the concerns of his constituents and the added pressures on middle income families and rural areas.

The three hour debate took place in Parliament and Winchester & Meon Valley MP Mark Oaten channelled through the views given to him based on the early responses to his living cost survey currently running.

Using the four sections of his survey, housing costs, energy, food and petrol prices, Mark commented that although there is rightly a focus on those less able to pay it was clear from his survey that middle income families in Winchester were also “starting to feel the pinch”.

Mark called again for regulation of the oil sector and other heating fuels that are off mains which constituents in rural areas have to rely on for want of other options. He also stated that cars are a necessary part of rural living and will continue to be so until local communities are provided with local services, such as post offices and better public transport, which lessons the need for travel in cars. 

The survey is active and can be accessed online at: http://www.libertyresearch.org.uk/take/401

Mark Oaten commented:

“It is clear to me looking at the early results of the survey that my constituents are starting to struggle with the rising cost of living. The debate allowed me to raise the views of people directly affected by this with the Government.

“I am going to continue my efforts to gauge my constituent’s views and then make sure they are heard in Parliament.