We are all worried about how deep and how hard the recession will bite. Our jobs, our homes and local businesses: who will be hit and how can we best survive?

Our high streets in Highgate Village, Archway Road and Muswell Hill are full of shops that we all depend on – and they too will be wondering whether they can survive the economic downturn. So we need to try and bring our custom to our high streets even more. If what money we have we can spend locally, then we all can play a part in saving our local parades and high streets.

Turing to the bigger picture – I’m not sure that the political slanging match about who was to blame between Labour and Tory is much help in the current situation. So – I thought I would ask you to let me know your personal concerns about your life, your home, your business and your job as the downturn hits. That way I can report that back into the parliamentary debate so that we can press hard for action to mitigate and alleviate where possible.

The thought of a major financial institution collapsing all so easily captures centre stage – but those should not be the only concerns in our minds. The effects on people’s lives matters and should not be squeezed out.

That’s why the four-point plan launched recently by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his deputy Vince Cable focused strongly on people’s day to day lives:

1. Cutting taxes for struggling families so people will have more money in their pocket. We would cut taxes for people on low and middle incomes – the money for this coming from closing tax loopholes for the super-rich. It’s only right that the tax system treats us all fairly, especially at times like these.

2. Lowering energy bills so people can afford to keep warm this winter. As wholesale fuel prices fall – they have dropped 28% since August – utility companies must lower people’s bills too as quickly as they raised them!

3. Keeping people in their homes, so you don’t need to fear unfair repossessions. We must ensure that banks only ever repossess people’s homes as a last resort. This is the one that the Government has now agreed with us and has promised action on.

4. Lower mortgage payments and cheaper business loans through big interest rate cuts. People and businesses need help paying off their mortgages and loans, so we need substantially lower interest rates.

These four steps would make a real difference to our well being, but to really represent everyone whatever your situation, it’s crucial that I understand exactly how people’s lives are being affected here. So please, get in touch with your stories about how the credit crunch affects you and yours.

(c) Lynne Featherstone, 2008