Her "Feeling the Pinch" direct mail survey last month to 10,000 homes in West Worcestershire has revealed that 92% of local people feel that the cost of living has risen a little (13%) or a lot (79%) in the last 12 months.
Local people are foregoing luxuries (54%), going out less (51%), switching to cheaper brands (48%), using their cars less (43%) and cutting down on holidays (38%) in order to make ends meet.
Sixty one per cent of respondents agree with Conservative plans to freeze council tax for two years if the party wins the next General Election.
Against this backdrop, a 3.5% increase in Council Tax in Worcestershire would be particularly unwelcome this year.
Harriett Baldwin said, "I do understand that the council tax covers a wide range of vital local services, including the police, the fire authority, local schools, highways, social care and waste collection. Nevertheless, if there ever was a year when no increase in council tax would be welcome, this is it. The Bank of England has cut rates to 1.5% to tackle deflation, but the reality in people's lives is that inflation is the norm, particularly the cost of keeping the house warm. Pensioners and savers are suffering from dramatic drops in income and there is real hardship for people who have lived responsibly and within their means all their lives. I call on the council to keep council tax increases to a minimum this year."