Local charity urges more support as cost-of-living crisis mounts in North Tyneside

North Tyneside Citizens Advice is warning that – without further government action – people across North Tyneside risk falling into severe hardship in order to shoulder energy price hikes.

The local charity, which has seen the number of people needing help with energy debts increase by 85% since last year, has found that:

• 20% in North Tyneside are currently unable to afford energy bills, even if they cut back or fall behind on other essentials
• This jumps to 34% of people after the energy price cap hike on 1st April

North Tyneside Citizens Advice is calling for urgent government help. Firstly by increasing benefits in April in line the current rate of inflation, rather than last September’s rate.  And secondly, by offering further support to prevent families once again choosing between heating and eating in October when the price cap is predicted to rise again.

Ben, Advisor at North Tyneside Citizens Advice, said:

“The people we’re helping at North Tyneside Citizens Advice are reaching breaking point. The heartbreaking truth is that many have simply nothing left in their budget they can cut back on. That’s why we’re seeing more and more people needing crisis support like food bank referrals and help with energy debts.”

Mark Almond, Chief Officer of North Tyneside Citizens Advice, said:

“At North Tyneside Citizens Advice we’re seeing first hand that the budgets of people across North Tyneside are being pushed to the brink.

“Current measures announced by the government don’t go far enough. Only 6% of people across the region think the energy rebate will make a significant difference to their ability to pay their energy bill from October. If the government doesn’t at least increase benefits to match the current rate of inflation, many more households will be pushed to crisis point.”