Working class will suffer most from cost-of-living crisis

Sir, – Chris Burt, associate director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), cut through the noise and chaff swirling around the cost-of-living crisis we are all confronting.

Some are better equipped than others.

The effect is called poverty, pure and simple, driven by the UK Government policies over the last 10-plus years of austerity.

The safety net that is supposed to catch people and families who have encountered adversity, predominantly through no fault of their own making, has been weakened and made more complex for claimants, seemingly to make claiming more difficult and offputting.

Most recent increases in energy bills is driving the increase in inflation.

From the JRF analysis, middle-income families will experience a 7% increase in energy bills, which will nibble away at their disposable income.

Low-income families, whose disposable income has already been squeezed, will have a massive 20% gobbled out of their income for energy.

It is forcing people who are on fixed incomes to consider taking on additional small part-time jobs to augment their income, rather than taking out pay-day loans.

The National Farmers’ Union is highlighting to us all that the prices of even local produce will increase due to the rise in the three Fs – Fuel, Fertiliser and Feed.

As an example “red tractor” diesel has seen a 100% increase. So even if we as a country wanted to feed ourselves with local produce, as we should – or must as a result of Brexit – it’s going to cost more.

Hundred of thousands of families in Scotland and millions of families throughout the UK are affected, living on these low poverty-level wages.

Scots singer Mary Brooksbank wrote: “Them that works the hardest is the least provided.” Sadly, it is still the case in our supposed rich economy.

Alistair Ballantyne. Birkhill,

Angus.