Labour MPs call on PM to tackle cost of living crisis

The government must refocus on more radical ideas to help people with everyday costs such as food, energy, childcare and housing, a group of more than 100 Labour MPs has said in a letter to Keir Starmer.

- Exclusive Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

The warning comes amid fears Labour could lose the next election and will bleed voters to both Reform and parties on the left unless there is a much faster pace of change that puts money directly back in people's pockets. The letter launches the new Living Standards group of Labour MPs, which will be spearheaded by eight from the 2024 intake.

Speaking to the Guardian, MPs from the group said the government also had to change the way it related to voters, speaking less about growth in the G7 and more about the cost of food. It aims to submit a slew of ideas on driving down everyday costs to the government before the autumn, in an attempt to combat the threat to Labour from leftwing parties and Reform.

The letter is the latest sign of a more activist parliamentary party ready to push its own ideas to No 10 and the Treasury after the tussle over welfare this month.

In their letter to Starmer, which reiterated support for the prime minister and the government, the 104 MPs said there were welcome efforts to raise incomes via investment in industry and changes to workers' rights - but that a big effort towards also lowering everyday costs was needed now.