THE YORKSHIRE Party is calling on the government to give urgent support to help people with the cost of living.

Benefits should be increased immediately, in line with the massive spike in inflation, according to the Yorkshire Party's candidate for the Wakefield by-election, David Herdson.

Mr Herdson said: "The cost-of-living is rising so fast now that annual increases are putting a huge burden on people with strained budgets, and benefits are dropping behind costs. While inflation remains high, benefits should be reviewed every six months, starting with an immediate increase to reflect the surging energy costs".

The Yorkshire Party nominated David Herdson, who lives in the constituency, for the Wakefield by-election, where it finished third in the recent local elections.

Yorkshire Party leader, Bob Buxton, who wrote a foundation degree in renewables, added: "A VAT cut on energy bills is an obvious step which the Government has failed to take. The long-term solution is for the UK to become a net-energy exporter, prioritising green energy. A Yorkshire with real local powers could become a starting point for a green revolution, powered by education in green technologies."

Dr Buxton serves on Rawdon Parish Council and works in Bradford teaching engineering apprentices.