In the nine years I have been an AM, I have never been approached by so many constituents in this situation – a clear sign people are struggling under the credit crunch.

While the international banking system goes into meltdown and national economies struggle to stave off a recession, on a more basic level, individuals and families are struggling to make ends meet.

Each month it feels harder to make the budget stretch, the shopping costs a little more. A decade of Gordon Brown's complacency has lead to plummeting house prices, falling growth, rising inflation and rising unemployment. The future of the UK economy has not looked this bleak since the Tory recession of the 1990s.

We also have an Assembly Government doing nothing to reduce the effect of these difficult times but point the sole finger of blame at Westminster. The Assembly has no powers over the international economy, inflation and taxes, but we do have a Minister for the Economy and I would hope he does not twiddle his fingers all day with nothing to do.

The One Wales Government does have the power to not only lobby their Westminster colleagues but also to soften the blow for individuals by easing heating and lighting charges for the worst off; by offering packages of help for struggling mortgage payers; by improving public transport to ease high fuel costs.

Longer term the Assembly must work to improve skills and infrastructure. Months after a plan to supposedly help homeowners, the rules of the scheme have yet to be finalised.

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme has helped a large number of people, however a review into the rules that govern that scheme to make it more flexible has been going on for years, and at a time when we need better bus services than ever, Powys County Council has had its transport grant cut.

At our autumn conference the Lib Dems announced plans to offer real help to the millions of families struggling. We will do this by getting wasteful government spending under control while giving the economy a boost by cutting taxes for people from the bottom up.

The Lib Dems have always supported low taxation for the worst off. At a time when more and more people are struggling, after decades of an unfair Tory government who want tax cuts at the top, and an inept Labour government who have promoted debt for all, we will reduce the tax burden for those who need it the most.

We will crackdown on big business and the super rich who exploit tax loopholes and do not pay a fair share. We will strengthen the economy by requiring the Bank of England to take house prices into account when setting interest rates and regulate the banking system to prevent irresponsible lending and business practices.

I would recommend anyone finding themselves in difficulty seeks individual help as early as possible.

Agencies out there can offer the help and support needed, but it is essential you contact them before things get out of control.