2 hours ago
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Helen Catt,South East political editor, Eastbourne, Daniel Sextonand Joshua Askew,South East
BBC
Ed Davey said the biggest problem for people was energy costs
The Liberal Democrat leader has defended councils controlled by his party putting up charges and council tax.
Speaking on a visit to Eastbourne, Sir Ed Davey told BBC South East the cost of living had to be tackled "as a country, not just one little bit".
He said the biggest problem he was hearing from people was that petrol and diesel prices, energy bills and mortgage costs were going up even more.
One of the biggest drivers was the war between US-Israel and Iran, he added.
Councils across the South East run by various political parties have increased charges and council tax.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said on Wednesday that "council tax has to rise" as local authorities were "in massive debt".
The cost of living is a key campaign issue for the Liberal Democrats at the local elections in May.
Sir Ed said many Liberal Democrat councils were taking steps to avoid increasing financial pressure on households.
Some local authorities were facing challenges from the costs of adult social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and needed to meet those obligations, he said.
"We do want to look after elderly people. We do want to look after disabled people.
"They've got to deal with special education needs. I think it would be wrong to take support away from disabled children."
The Liberal Democrats do not currently run any councils with social care or SEND responsibilities in Kent, Sussex or Surrey.
PA Media
Sir Ed was in East Sussex to launch his plans for maternity care reforms
Sir Ed said Lib Dem plans to reform maternity care included pledging one-to- one midwife care for women in labour.
He said: "We put forward a package of proposals making sure every mother has a midwife by their side the whole time and every maternity unit has a consultant obstetrician, a specialist doctor 24/7.
"If we did that, some appalling situations we see wouldn't happen."
Sir Ed said it would be challenging but it would be better to invest money into the system rather than paying for mistakes.
Eastbourne Borough Council and Chichester District Council - both controlled by the party - are raising council tax by the maximum 2.99% in 2026/27.
The Liberal Democrat-run Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has raised council tax by 2.9%, while Mid Sussex imposed a rise of 2.95% and Horsham has opted for an increase of 2.94%.
