NORTHUMBERLAND Labour have called on the Government to protect family incomes during the latest lockdown.

Labour Leader Susan Dungworth has backed Keir Starmer's calls for action on the issue.

She said: "This third lock down is taking many people and families up to (and in many cases beyond) breaking point.

"People are worried about paying bills, paying for childcare or coping with insecure work

"We'd urge the council to look at these proposals locally in the interests of people living in the county and do do everything they can to get as much support for residents as possible."

The proposals include stopping the planned cut in Universal Credit, a pay rise for key workers, extending the ban on evictions and repossessions, and backing local government and giving it the money it needs to prevent a planned rise in council tax.

Coun. Dungworth added: "This pandemic has highlighted inequalities and the widening gap between people are have enough to live on and those who don't. I think many people would agree that this simply can't continue.

"Taking these steps now would make a real difference to millions of people across the country and it would put families at the heart of the economic recovery. People need to know they're being supported."