Market traders unconvinced by PM's economy claims

Tom Burton said people on "the front line", like him, could see no evidence of economic improvement

Lifelong Conservative voters working at a Birmingham wholesale market have said they may switch their allegiance at the upcoming election because they are not convinced the economy is improving.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said economic stability has returned, pointing to falling inflation and a growing economy.

But Tom Burton at George Perry fruit and vegetable wholesale market said that was not the experience of people there.

He said: "I think the economy has stayed the same, figures can blind a lot of people."

This month it has been announced that falling gas and electricity prices have driven UK inflation to its lowest level in almost three years, trumpeted by the prime minister as he called the election.

It was also announced that the economy grew by 0.6% between January and March this year, meaning the UK is no longer recession.

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But Mr Burton said his costs were still going up and that was the experience of people "when you're actually on the front line as we are".

He would not say who he would vote for at this election, but said the cost of living, business rates and energy costs were the issues which mattered most to him.

Les Clark said it was difficult to believe Rishi Sunak's claims about the economy

Les Clark, who also trades at the market said he was likely not to vote for anyone this time, after previously voting Conservative.

"It's very difficult to believe what we are being told when we're getting price increases on all our products," he said.

But he said he could not get behind any of the parties.

"Everybody's trying to get into the middle to please everybody, nobody is making a proper decision," he said.

Steve Waters said he wanted to send a message to the Conservative party

Fellow trader, Steve Waters, said he had also always voted Conservative, had worked for the party and "never even considered voting for other parties".

But he said he would vote for Reform UK instead this time, "with a heavy heart".

"It's the only way i can send the message that this is not acceptable," he said.

His concerns include rising energy prices and the number of migrants coming into the country.

But he was not convinced by speeches from either Rishi Sunak or Sir Keir Starmer.

"The political soundbites are obviously all out there already, he said.

"And I have to say it's sounding pretty boring already."