Labour switched campaign tactics today to focus on cutting the cost of living, amid worries among candidates that big spending giveaways have failed to appeal to many voters.
In a keynote speech, John McDonnell said a typical family would save more than £6,700 a year from Labour policies — a figure that was dismissed by Conservatives who said his claims did not add up.
The shadow chancellor claimed nationalising energy firms would save families an average of £142 a year — despite analysis saying the Government would have to pay billions of pounds in compensation — and argued that fitting insulation to homes would cut household fuel bills by “over £400 a year”.
He added that free childcare would save people “on average £3,000 a year per child” while free school meals were worth £400 in the family kitty.
Mr McDonnell also said people would save from rail fare cuts and free care for the elderly, and that a £10 minimum wage would help 7.5 million people.
“Labour’s plan for real change could save families over £6,700 a year,” he said.
The change of focus was seen as an attempt to target the party’s message better at families in the marginal-rich regions of the North and the Midlands, which Mr McDonnell said included “those whose Christmas dinner will be from the food bank this year”.
He added: “Higher wages are no good if the cost of living continues to race away.”
A Conservative official said the party would respond to show Mr McDonnell’s figures were “falling apart under scrutiny”, but was unable to point immediately to the flaws.
