A cost of living emergency has been declared in the Cotswolds as civic leaders warn of how surging energy and food prices are exacerbating poverty in the area.

One in five children in the Cotswolds is in poverty according to the latest figures.

And Cotswold District Councillors are extremely concerned about the impact further price rises will have on already struggling families.

Speaking at a council meeting this week, Council leader Joe Harris (LD, St Michael’s) said many people “simply cannot afford” the basic necessities such as food, drink, electricity, heating, fuel and clothing.

He proposed a motion which aims to set up a cross-party working group ahead of the budget setting process which will look at steps the council could take to help address the cost of living crisis.

Cllr Harris said: “People are struggling and people are scared. In 21st Century Britain, we are facing a cost of living emergency. Our economy is struggling, GDP is flatlining, and poverty is increasing.

“Things aren’t looking like they are going to get any better, the unfairness of the energy price cap policy was laid bare in April when the cap rose by 54% this October that cap is expected to rise by a further 46%.”

He said that there is a lot of poverty “under the shiny veneer of the Cotswolds” and many people are using food banks. Some 5,621 claimed food parcels last year with 2,711 of these being children, according to Cllr Harris.

Cllr Nikki Ind (I, Tetbury East & Rural), who seconded the motion, said the Cotswolds is perceived as a wealthy area but she explained “it’s a district of two halves, those who have and those who have not”.

She said: “They are really struggling. We need to support our residents.

“Local statistics from the End Child Poverty coalition and the Cirencester with Fairford and Tetbury food bank report show that in the Cotswold constituency, 3216 children, that’s 19% of our children are trapped in poverty.

“In Tetbury last year, 944 food parcels were issued by the food bank and this is before the cost of living crisis has actually hit.”

Tory group leader Tony Berry (C, Kemble) said his group was happy to support the setting up of a cross-party working group.

He said: “Where there is poverty, you need to do something about it. We are happy to support the pulling together of a plan and trying to sort something out.”

The council voted unanimously to pass the motion.