I’d like to start by thanking Powys residents for their support in the local government elections a few weeks ago, writes Eluned Morgan MS.

I’m delighted that Labour group leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance and his colleagues have agreed to form a coalition to work collaboratively with the Lib Dems. I wish them every success and look forward to working with colleagues across Powys to deliver progressive change on the issues that matter most to you.

The elections were a litmus test for the Tories, who lost seats across Wales. The latest polling puts Labour well ahead and, if a General Election were to be called today, the largest party in Parliament.

At a time when most of us are feeling the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, the circus around ‘partygate’ in Westminster is rocking ordinary voters confidence in the political process across the UK.

For months, prominent Tory ministers and backbenchers have pleaded with the public to give Boris Johnson the benefit of the doubt. I regularly receive messages filled with frustration from residents over the affair.

It goes deeper than just what happened in Downing Street during lockdown. The continued, unashamed defence of a Prime Minister who says one thing and does another is casting a long and unedifying shadow on our political system.

Despite a further package of measures from the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to support people through the current economic crisis, the latest offer of help by the UK Government provides little to those facing financial difficulty now.

For a growing number of families, serious choices are having to be made between heating and eating. Basic foodstuffs like pasta have increased in price by 50 per cent, on top of fuel and energy price rises. The impact of spiralling inflation on household budgets and on the wider economy cannot be underestimated.

I’ll continue to work with my Welsh Government colleagues to target support where it is needed. On a community level, if we can all work together to support each other, just as we did through the pandemic, we can tackle this crisis together so that no one is left behind.

I have produced a booklet to help support people through the cost-of-living crisis. For a copy, please call 0300 200 7264 or email: eluned.morgan@senedd.wales.