Labour viewed as better placed to tackle crisis but voters sceptical it is a priority for either party

Labour and the Conservatives have been accused of being out of step with public concern about the cost-of-living crisis, as polling suggested fewer than one in four people believed tackling it was a priority for the two parties.

Swing voters from key demographics – Workington man and Stevenage woman, monikers campaign strategists have given to groups they are targeting – appear sceptical about the parties’ proposals to ease cost pressures.