Levelling Down?

The UK government made a fanfare about its 'aspiration' to 'level up' its country economically. The ruling party claimed they would be focusing on attempts to rid England of its stark contrast between the 'rich' South-East (N.B. there are even areas of deprivation there) and the generally economically-depressed rest. There has been zero sign of progress in this undertaking. Current UK inflation is said to be 7% but edging up towards 9%. These figures, however, simply do not reflect the experiences of people at or near the 'coalface' (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/apr/26/we-stopped-using-the-oven-as-price-went-up-how-rise-in-energy-bills-is-hitting-uk-homes). The account only lists the experiences of three marginalised folk. It's still, however, depressing to read that people have ceased using their oven to cook food (it's too expensive). Others, return home, to sit in layers of clothing/blankets, as they can't afford the heating. A small decorating business is becoming non-viable. The rising costs of paint (to do the work) and fuel (required to get to the jobs), appear to be making it uncommercial. The 7% inflation figure also doesn't even get close to the 45% experienced by people, forced to rely on cannisters of propane gas. People, living at or near the margins, are clearly suffering. Most (perhaps as high as 40%) are being levelled down, rather than up!