Forget the future, we need help right now

AS someone working as a volunteer in a local pantry, I speak with the same people every week and it is quite distressing to hear their grave concerns; people living difficult lives trying to get by on what they receive.

Many of the people using this service are worried about what the future holds; most are in work but some are also receiving benefits; many have children, some are at school. There are several pensioners, but the issues are the same. Their main concerns are the cost of food and the uncertain cost of energy for the forthcoming winter months. No one chooses to be poor; some have more than one job or are carers for a family member – they have no savings as all their money goes on keeping families fed and warm.

Yes, they have mobile phones and some have cars. But these are the necessities of life where work is some way off and there is no public transport at the time they need it.

They do not have landlines or computers (as we learned during the pandemic with the disparity of some households not having facilities for home learning).

What people need most is better paid jobs – more money gives them more choice, something that is the mantra of the Conservative Party, I think. At the moment, they have little or no choice. So whilst the PM and Chancellor debate how much money they will or won’t give to the wealthy, these people continue to be kept waiting in the dark.

They don’t want the promise of more in the future, they want relief now. They don’t have any reserves to fall back on. No holiday fund to dip into; just hungry mouths to feed and the prospect of cold rooms.

Hopefully, those politicians who make such decisions will appreciate that when people don’t turn on their heating at least two things happen – children’s performance at school deteriorates, and cold homes lead to condensation and poor health for all occupants.

This is a social disaster waiting to happen if no action is taken.

Politicians need to act and take care of the people they are in power to protect. They need to be reminded of this! I therefore urge anyone to write to their MP to ensure they fulfil their duty to help people who find themselves in difficulty at this time.

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