Cost of living crisis ‘far from over’ for many people in Lancaster and Morecambe

Lord Walker had originally been due to visit in person and tour Morecambe, but joined the roundtable discussion online instead.

The purpose of the discussion was simple: to ensure that national conversations about the cost of living are informed by the voices of the people living with its consequences every day.

Lord Walker was keen to hear directly from those with lived experience of poverty and how the cost of living crisis has affected their day-to-day lives.

Too often, discussions about poverty rarely capture the daily reality of deciding whether to heat a home, pay for transport, buy food, manage debt or maintain dignity in increasingly difficult circumstances. This symposium sought to bridge that gap.

Over the course of an open and honest conversation, local residents shared their experiences directly with Lord Walker, highlighting not only the financial pressures they face, but also the emotional and social impacts that accompany them.

The cost of living crisis is far from over for many people in the Lancaster and Morecambe district.

Community Commissioners from the Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission spoke openly about the emotional toll of living with financial insecurity.

Discussion also turned to the complexity of support systems, with participants and advisers agreeing that help should be simpler, more accessible, and designed around the realities of people’s lives.

Joanna Young, the Chief Executive of Citizens Advice North Lancashire said “On behalf of Citizens Advice North Lancashire, I would like to thank Lord Walker and Lizzi Collinge MP for taking the time to join us and, most importantly, for listening. For local people to get the ear of the Government is so important.

“The voices shared during this symposium highlighted the urgent need for action.

"Their openness ensured that the conversation was grounded in lived experiences. At Citizens Advice North Lancashire, we remain committed to ensuring that the experience of local people helps shape local and national policy. That’s why one of our core aims is to research and campaign where policies or practices are unfairly impacting on people.”

Citizens Advice North Lancashire also welcomes the Government’s Pride in Place programme, which will deliver £20 million to the West End of Morecambe over ten years.

Joanna continued: “As this work develops, we would be delighted to welcome Lord Walker back to North Lancashire, in person this time, to continue the conversation, meet further residents and partners, and hear first-hand how communities are responding to the ongoing challenges facing households across our district. Those are the voices we will continue to champion.”