Vauxhall Lib Dems Investigate Impact of Economic Crisis on Local Residents

8.58.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th Oct 2009

Caroline's survey was sent to over 25,000 households in the Vauxhall area.

25,000 addressed surveys were delivered across Vauxhall earlier in the year to find out how the economic situation is affecting local residents. A massive thank you to everyone who took the time to let us have your views

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Campaigner Caroline Pidgeon asked a number of questions about the impact of the recession on local residents' jobs, homes, quality of life as well as their views on taxation.

The key findings were as follows:

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Financial Stability

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• Just over half of those surveyed have been laid off, are finding it difficult to find employment, or are concerned about losing their job.

• A quarter of those surveyed are concerned about losing their job.

• More than half those surveyed know someone who has recently been laid off due to the economic crisis.

• 2/3 of those surveyed feel worse off compared to last year.

• Asked what was making the biggest impact on household finances, gas and electricity bills, food prices, then rent and Council Tax were the top costs.

• More than half supported a windfall tax on energy companies to help people in fuel poverty.

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Rents and Mortgages

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• A third of those surveyed were concerned that the credit crunch would prevent them from moving up the property ladder of buying their own home.

• Just under 2/3 of those surveyed thought their property had gone down in value or stayed the same as a result of the credit crunch.

• 1/3 of those surveyed thought their property had gone down in value.

• Half of those surveyed said their rent had gone up or that they were worried about rent rises.

• Just under a quarter of people surveyed had seen a rent rise of over £50 a month.

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Quality of Life

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• Over 2/3 people felt that their standard of living has suffered as a result of the credit crunch and reported that they had cut back on luxuries like eating out, holidays etc.

• 2/3 of people also reported that they had put off a large item or home improvement because they were worried about the future.

• 80% of those surveyed thought that Gordon Brown was either 'mostly' or partly' to blame for the state of the economy.

• Nearly half of those surveyed thought that Gordon Brown was partly to blame for the state of the economy. 1/3 thought that he was mostly to blame for the state of the economy.

• Over half of those surveyed thought that a change of Government was needed to sort things out.

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National Tax

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• ¾ of those surveyed said that Lib Dem plans for income tax reform were a better approach for their household.

• Over half supported Lib Dem plans to increase child benefit payments, including those who said it wouldn't help them directly.

• Nearly 90% of those surveyed supported Lib Dem plans to close loopholes to stop very wealthy people avoiding paying tax.

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Local Tax

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• Based on current performance, over half of those surveyed thought that Lambeth council tax increases over the past two years were not justified.

• Asked how reasonable various council charges were, over a third of people mentioned Parking Permits as expensive.

• Nearly 2/3 of those surveyed supported Lib Dem policy to abolish council tax and replace it with a locally set tax based on what people could afford to pay.

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Pensions and Benefits

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• Of those receiving a state pension, 90% of respondents felt that it was not providing enough money for a decent standard of living.

• Over 2/3 of those surveyed thought that Lib Dem plans for a Citizen's Pension would make for a better system.

• 80% of those surveyed supported Lib Dem plans to simplify the tax credits system.

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"It is quite clear that local people across Vauxhall from Waterloo to Brixton, Kennington to Stockwell, are feeling the impact of this recession first hand. Whether through loosing their job or facing high gas and council tax bills, residents are clearly cutting back on spending and trying to make ends meet at this difficult time" said Lib Dem Campaigner Caroline Pidgeon.

"Local people strongly agree that we need a far fairer national and local tax system where the more you earn, the more tax you pay. And tax loopholes being closed off so that everyone pays their fair share".

"Vince Cable MP, the Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson has shown how we can put our economy back on track. The Labour Government should start listening and start the investment and changes needed to put our area and country back on track" added Caroline Pidgeon.