13 years of austerity forced on our country by the Conservative government has taken its toll on our city. More people than ever are struggling to make ends meet and the general cost of living keeps going up and up.

That’s why Labour councillors pushed for a Cost of Living Hardship Fund in the recent city council budget, to provide support to residents who are finding paying their bills a challenge. 

There is more the council can do to improve quality of life, to make our city fairer and put more cash in the people’s pockets. But the Lib Dems have broken their promise to introduce the Real Living Wage for all outsourced council workers – something we are campaigning to change. 

• Implement the real Living Wage for outsourced council workers, expand the real Living Wage across the city and make Portsmouth a Living Wage city
• Improve access to GPs and NHS dentists by working with local stakeholders to increase surgeries, back the University of Portsmouth’s bid for a medical school and  support plans for a Women’s Health Hub 
• Build more homes that are genuinely affordable for local people 
• Prioritise cheaper, greener and more frequent buses to reduce travel by car
• Drive up standards in social care, making sure everyone gets the support they need