Reducing the Impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis

Right now, families and working people across West Oxfordshire and the Vale are still feeling the pinch from years of squeezed incomes, rising bills and economic uncertainty. The Autumn Budget was billed as a cost-of-living adjustment - but for many households it simply adds to the pressure they are already under.

Charlie is focused on easing the financial pressure on local households and getting our economy back on track. He is committed to standing up for local families and businesses during this cost-of-living crisis. He will continue to push for the changes needed to and support our community through these difficult times.

Holding the Government to Account

🏦 As the Liberal Democrats' Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Charlie now has the platform to scrutinise Government budgets, fight unfair cost‑of‑living policies, and demand real financial relief for working families, pensioners and low‑income households.

💼 Charlie continues to use his position on the Business and Trade Select Committee to push the Government for real action to support British business and back our High Streets.

📢 He’s raised important questions about how we can tackle the cost-of-living crisis and stimulate economic growth.

💱 Charlie has questioned the Minister for Trade about our free trade agreements and how they can support economic recovery.

The Autumn Budget and What This Means for You

🏚️ Falling living standards for many - The threshold freeze means that, over the coming years, millions more working households will pay more tax, while real incomes are squeezed.

😖 More pressure on savings, pensions and investments - The Budget includes planned increases in taxes on property income, savings, dividends and pensions. That means many people trying to save, invest or plan for retirement will see higher bills just for doing so.

😓 Greater burden on low-income and vulnerable households - For families already struggling with rent, bills, childcare, transport and day-to-day costs, the Budget’s “relief” - such as frozen rail fares or small rises to Universal Credit and benefits - is unlikely to offset the new tax burdens or rising costs

💼 Risk to small businesses and self-employed people - As households tighten belts, local small businesses risk lower demand; and with growing tax burden on earnings and savings, many will struggle to stay afloat.

Charlie Called for a Fair Budget for All

Charlie has been vocal in his criticisms of the Autumn Budget, calling for the following:

✔️ Targeted support for low-income households, pensioners and working families - not blanket measures that benefit wealthier earners.

✔️ Fairer tax treatment for small savers, pensioners, and people on modest incomes - including a fairer approach to pensions, dividend and savings income.

✔️ Support for small businesses and self-employed people who will struggle under rising costs, inflation and higher taxes.

✔️ Real, sustainable measures to reduce living costs - including tackling high energy bills, high rents, childcare costs, and ensuring help actually reaches those who need it most.

Standing Up to Thames Water

💷 Thames Water have asked for a £3 billion loan with 9.75% interest rate to “give it the space needed to complete a restructuring of its debts and attract a cash injection from prospective new investors”.

📈 To pay for their debts, Thames Water have been allowed to raise bills by more than 35% over the next five years. Charlie has been vocally opposed to this. The company has claimed this increase is not enough, and has appealed to be allowed to raise bills by 59% over the next five years. This is at the same time as claiming that additional debt will not affect customers bills. 

⚖️ Charlie has been fighting this extra debt all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing instead that the company should be taken into Special Administration. To learn more about Charlie's fight for Thames Water customers, visit his Clean Water and Fair Bills Campaign page.

Listening to Local Residents and Businesses

🧑‍💼 Charlie is in regular contact with local residents and businesses to understand their challenges.

🧑‍🔧 He’s met with local businesses to discuss how apprenticeships and skills training can be improved to help career progression.

🏢 Charlie has also met with Job Centre Plus in Witney to ensure people have the support they need to get into work.

Charlie’s Role as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson (effectively the party’s shadow lead on public spending and welfare), Charlie is well placed to challenge the Government’s approach to budgets, taxes and household support - and to demand fairer treatment for working people, pensioners, and families on modest incomes.

Charlie will be using his role to:

✔️ Hold the Government accountable when costs rise but incomes don’t - pressing for targeted relief measures for low‑income households, not just blanket policies.

✔️ Advocate for protecting essential services, benefits and support for renters, pensioners and people on fixed incomes - especially when “stealth tax” changes and frozen thresholds erode real earnings.

✔️ Campaign for fiscal and welfare policies that support working people and small businesses - helping ease bills, fight inequality, and give households more financial breathing space.

Campaigning for Fairer Welfare Reform

Charlie and his Liberal Democrat colleagues are pushing for significant changes to improve our welfare system.

🧒 Fighting Child Poverty: The Liberal Democrats are calling for the removal of the two-child limit and the benefits cap.

🪙 Universal Credit Reform: They want to reduce the wait for the first payment of Universal Credit from five weeks to just five days, as well as equal payment rates for all claimants, regardless of age.

👷 Replacing the Sanctions System: Charlie and the Lib Dems are advocating for a new incentive-based approach to help people into work, rather than penalizing them.

🏠 Supporting Homelessness Prevention: They're also fighting for more resources for local authorities to help those at risk of homelessness.