It is hardly rocket science that something needs to be done to correct the chronic imbalance facing scores of hard-working families.

Across the county, tens of thousands drive to work to put food on the table.

Each day, tens of thousands of people are filling up their cars with fuel that is costing the Earth, before filling up a basket with food that is also dearer than ever.

Yesterday, the squeeze being felt by Oxford Bus Company was finally passed on to commuters with a 6.5 per cent average increase in fares to be introduced on June 29.

Add in rising utility bills and you can see why many families are having such a rough time of it.

The Consumer Price Index - the Government's preferred inflation measurement which is based on a basket of everyday goods - rose in May to 3.3 per cent, well above the two per cent target.

And Mervyn King, the chairman of the Bank of England, warned it could reach four per cent by the end of the year.

Is there no end in sight?

The Government will point out, with some justification, the global credit crunch is not of its making and the knock-on effect being felt across the country has little to do with ministers.

Sadly, the hundreds of thousands affected by this mess won't buy that.

Take the Mattingley family, for example, a typical household living in Headington Quarry.

Money is so tight that they have slashed costs by car sharing, buying more own label brands at the supermarket and taking domestic holidays rather than holidaying abroad.

And they even draw up a weekly meal planner to make sure they only buy what they need.

With a General Election less than two years away, Gordon Brown and his Government needs to come up with something good and believable.

And fast.