Mid Bedfordshire by-election: Tackling the cost of living crisis

What do the candidates vying for the Mid-Bedfordshire seat say about tackling the cost of living crisis?

Mid Bedfordshire goes to the polls later this month in a by-election sparked by Conservative MP Nadine Dorries' resignation. The parties know what they want to talk about - but what is uppermost in voters' minds?

In the first of four by-election previews, you asked the candidates their views on the cost-of-living crisis.

Voting takes place on Thursday, 19 October, and you can read about all 13 candidates standing here.

'What are you going to do to bring down the cost of living?'

Saif Hoque, from Shefford, is worried about the cost of living

That is the question from Saif Hoque, 41. He is worried about the leap in mortgage rates - in his case, from 3% to 7%.

"That's a lot of extra income we've got to find from somewhere," he says.

"It's tough. It means me and my partner have got to work longer and harder."

Candidates left-right, from top left: Emma Holland-Lindsay; Festus Akinbusoye; Alistair Strathern; Cade Sibley; Sid Cordle; Dave Holland; Gareth Mackey; Alberto Thomas; Ann Kelly; Alan Victor; Prince Ankit Love, Emperor of India; Antonio Vitiello; Chris Rooney

Emma Holland-Lindsay (Liberal Democrat): "I want the government to reverse the multi-billion-pound tax cut they gave to the big banks this year to help those families struggling with their mortgage."

Festus Akinbusoye (Conservative): "The best way to tackle the cost of living is to halve inflation this year, and the Conservatives' plan is working. The rate of inflation has fallen by 40% since its peak. Sticking to our plan is the only way to bring interest rates and mortgage rates back down."

Alistair Strathern (Labour): "I'll work closely with local and national charities to ensure support and advice is there for those who really need it. I will also argue for adopting mandatory measures to protect mortgage holders from rising costs and give them greater support with energy bills. I'll also support Labour's plan to get the economy back on track and inflation and interest rates down."

Cade Sibley (Green Party): "We would increase incomes for the poorest through an increase to universal credit and through pay increases in the public sector that at least match inflation. We reduce people's costs with a nationwide home insulation programme. We would pay for that through windfall taxes on the big energy companies and a wealth tax on the very richest people who can afford it."

Gareth Mackey (Independent): "I will speak in the House of Commons and put pressure on the government to fulfil their basic responsibility of keeping us safe and creating the circumstances where we can thrive and prosper."

Dave Holland (Reform UK): "We'll increase the basic tax rate threshold from £12,500 to £20,000, lifting over five million people out of paying income tax. We'll scrap the green taxes on energy bills and cut fuel duty by 20p a litre, which will reduce inflation by dropping transport costs and let the lowest paid keep more of their own money."

Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): "The Bank of England made a massive mistake holding interest rates down for too long. It is good that fixing interest rates is independent of government but wrong there is no democratic control over the Bank of England. We would bring in an elected advisory council that scrutinises it."

Alan Victor (True and Fair Party): "Our policies include rolling National Insurance into income tax which would help lower earners, as wellas cracking down on non-dom status which would raise at least £2.2bn for public spending."

Antonio Vitiello (English Democrats): "We would cease all wasteful involvement in the war between Russian and Ukraine. We will also deport all illegal migrants rather than put them up in hotels at the taxpayer's expense."

Chris Rooney (Mainstream): "We want to cut VAT and income tax. This is to be paid for by cancelling HS2 and stopping sending any more of our taxes overseas."

Alberto Thomas (Heritage Party): "Check with your mortgage provider, as many lenders are offering a two-year reduced fixed rate free of charge. A simple phone call could save you hundreds a month."

Prince Ankit Love, Emperor of India (Independent): "If we start to produce our own foods, crafts, clean energy, building materials and have more people owning homes, we won't need to borrow from banks that much."

Ann Kelly (Monster Raving Loony Party): "I would ask the supermarkets what THEY would do as they throw so much away and won't use wonky veg."