Is the cost-of-living crisis quickly becoming a national emergency?
With energy bills rising, the weekly food shop becoming more expensive and petrol and diesel prices breaking records, people around the country are finding that their money is not going as far as it previously did. However, it is not just a case of having to cut back on a few luxuries, for many they are having to make extremely difficult decisions between feeding themselves or their children, or powering their homes, or filling up their cars.
At the beginning of 2022, Age UK’s charity director, Caroline Abrahams, warned the government that rising fuel bills could be a national emergency for older people. In April, National Energy Action, a national fuel poverty charity, said fuel poverty was becoming a “national health emergency.” Similarly, Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said that, “By failing to make benefits payments realistic for the times we face, the government now risks turning the cost of living crisis into a national emergency.”
There is clear concern from national charities as to the impact that the current cost-of-living crisis will have on the most vulnerable in society. However, this is also being seen on a local level by our partners. High Peak CVS’s Food Distribution Survey identified how food-related services managed during the pandemic, the challenges they faced and what support they would need in another national emergency. One of the organisations who took part in their survey in March/April, said, “We have seen numbers triple since January 2022 and believe this to be because of the cost-of-living crisis. Food and financial donations have dropped considerably.”
Other comments from their report included:
“(We are) Worried about the increase in demand and people needing fresh goods as they are not able to afford to cook or heat food due to fuel costs.”
“(We have) Concerns about lack of supply for those that need it as donations are reducing as prices increase.”
Although the government has pledged more money for households to try and reduce the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, many believe that this may not be enough, with FareShare figures, published just the day after the Chancellor’s announcement on 26 May 2022, showing that four meals are delivered every second by the charity to struggling families in the UK.
In London, the Emergency Partnership are trialling a small initiative with a localised approach. Using Emergencies Partnership framework for creating a small working group focussed on a specific issue, they will hold regular touch points to continue discussing the crisis. This will also allow sharing of insight and strengthening of connections.
As the Emergencies Partnership, we prepare for, respond to, and learn from national emergencies, many of which tend to come on very quickly, for example a weather event such as a flood or heatwave. However, food and fuel poverty present a different situation to the traditional type of emergency we respond to, with this systemic issue having been exacerbated by many of the more obvious emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict in Ukraine. This raises the question for us as the Emergencies Partnership as to when does the cost-of-living crisis become an emergency and when do we, or should we, respond on a larger scale?
What to do if you are concerned someone may be struggling?
Many of our partners may already be supporting those in their communities struggling with rising costs, but if you know someone who you think could need support, here are some links to national organisations that may also be useful.
- FareShare has a range of links to organisations who can supply food to those who need it. They also have links to mental health, money and debt, and housing support here. You can also find out more details about whether your organisation or community group could receive food from FareShare here.
- Citizens Advice has advice for people who feel they may need the help of a foodbank here. They also have advice relating to living costs such as energy bills here.
- The Trussell Trust has foodbanks across the UK and you can find the nearest one to you here. The website also has details on how to get vouchers for foodbanks and what to expect in a food parcel.
There are also local organisations around the country who can help with food, clothing and household items, such as Lewisham Donation Hub. The Independent Food Aid Network also has a map of over 550 independent foodbanks around the UK here. Little Village has a map of over 150 baby banks where you can get the essentials for young children here.
The Food Foundation has recently published a series of thought-provoking, true accounts from people around the country struggling with food and fuel poverty. ‘Breadline Voices’ describes some of the heart-breaking situations families are facing. You can read their stories here.
