‘There will be a lot more people going without, sitting in the dark’
As inflation hits a 40-year high, Rachel Alexander, hit the streets to find how how people are coping now...
INFLATION has hit a 40-year high - as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. Latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows the Consumer Prices Index inflation rose to nine per cent in the year to April, up from an already high seven per cent in March.
It is the fastest measured rate since records began in 1989, and the ONS estimates it was the highest since 1982.
A large portion of the rise has been attributed to the price cap on energy bills, which was hiked by 54 per cent for the average household at the start of April.
The Government is handing out £150 council tax rebates for many homes and will take £200 off energy bills from October. But campaigners say that is not enough.
Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said: “These grim figures make clear that more and more families are starting to run out of road as they face inflation at its highest level in a generation, spiralling energy bills set to rise further, and an entirely inadequate benefits system.
“Government action is needed now to support incomes and cushion vulnerable families through this crisis. This means increasing benefits in line with the actual cost of living, and targeting help to children in low-income families through a rise in the child element of Universal Credit.”
We visited Stafford town centre to find out how the cost of living crisis is affecting people.
Chip shop worker Jay Howell, aged 32, from Stafford, said: “Everything has gone up in price. We’ve had customers come in and complain about the price of our food, but it is matched to the price of the ingredients going up
“It has been slow going but we still get the custom. I’ll be surprised if we’re still going this time next year.
“With inflation and everything going up like it has, everyone is losing their jobs as well. Things that have increased are basically everything we need in this shop.
“The business here used to be really good because of the nightlife, now there’s nothing. We used to stay open until 4am but now it costs us too much gas and electric.
“You have to make sacrifices sometimes. I think there are going to be a lot more people and a lot of parents going without, sitting in the dark, and unable to afford to light or heat their homes.”
Charity chief executive Phil Pusey, aged 56, said: “You notice everyone around going through it, even my colleagues at work are talking about the cost of living crisis.
“My gut feeling is that we need to act now. If the government leaves it until the next increase, it’ll be too late for a lot of people. The biggest difference I’ve noticed is fuel.
“I feel a bit helpless – there are a lot of people who can’t afford the basics.
“Some people are looked after an awful lot more than others.”
Retired M&S worker June Fox, aged 79, from Stafford, said: “I haven’t noticed much change – I’m on my own.
“There has been a difference but I just go around to try to find the best deal. I’m very careful with my money.”