by Dantes Odogwu
Rising energy prices are hitting Londoners hard, and the Government’s changes to benefits and tax are pushing millions into poverty and debt.
Many people will be forced to live in frigid homes because of the increase in energy prices, which is expected to rise again in April. In March, London tube and bus fares are expected to go up by five percent.
“I have dealt with a significant number of caseworks on this matter over the past few weeks, including just yesterday from messages sent to me by my constituents, residents are struggling with the high rocketing energy bills,” said Councillor Sunny Lambe, representing South Bermondsey ward.
“Some have to choose between heating their homes and having enough money left to buy food for the family. Some people must wear two to three numbers of socks in their homes to keep warm.
“I am pleased that our Southwark Labour has set aside funding put of money to help those families struggle with paying their energy bills and I continue to help such families every day through the Caseworks I receive from them.”
Blaming Boris
According to Ofgem, millions of households will see their energy bills hiked by almost £700 this April. The reason for the climbing price of energy is a squeeze on gas prices around the world, caused by the Covid pandemic.
Many people who are already dealing with worsening living conditions are blaming their plight on Boris Johnson’s government.
“Johnson is the worst thing that happened to Brits. Look at where his anti-people Brexit policy and his poor handling of the pandemic have brought us. He has crippled the economy,” said Angela Madu, 54, a disabled mother of four who lives on a council flat in South Bermondsey.
“I am going through pains on how to survive. I have cut down on my energy usage, I do not put my heating on for more than an hour daily and I have also restricted my diet and my washing habits, so I do not have to use the cooker and washing machine as I used to. It is a really pitiable situation.”
In a country as prosperous as this, it cannot be right that millions are living in poverty with so many struggling to get by each month.
Before the pandemic and the price increases, thousands died each winter in the UK’s cold homes. Now even more will die unless there is urgent intervention.
Millions of people living in cold homes are at risk in the winter, according to the National Fuel Poverty Action Network (NEA).
“In our last ‘normal’ winter 8,500 lives were lost because of cold homes. Low incomes, high energy costs, and poor heating and insulation all combined to leave them in conditions which were unfit to help them survive the freezing weather,” said Adam Scorer, the NEA’s Chief Executive.
Helping those in need
The spiraling cost of living is having a devastating impact on struggling Brits. The Government must urgently step forward with improved support to help those most in need.
“I am terribly angry with the government. My business is going down by the day, customers can no longer pay for their laundry because of price increments,” said Derick Alex, 49, a worker at Lazer dry cleaners in Rotherhithe New Road.
“The government was warned that Brexit impacts would cripple the country, we are not facing the cost-of-living crisis because of our imaginations it is all caused by Boris Johnson,” he said.
It is the duty of every reasonable government to protect lives and properties, and concerned citizens worry that not acting now will not prevent millions from premature death caused by cold homes.
Leo Pollak, the Councillor representing South Bermondsey ward said: “I’ve met many people who have seen their quarterly bills rise by a few hundred pounds, as well as a few others whose energy company went to bust. I have also heard some of the cafes and restaurants feeling the hit as well.
“We need to provide immediate support for them, particularly residents on lower incomes, but longer-term we need to accelerate retrofitting homes and kitchens away from gas supply and build up a baseload supply of renewable electricity generation.”
At a period where the UK is facing an economic crisis, including an almost daily cost of living increase with people all over the country struggling to pay bills and going without essentials or relying on credit, the government should be looking for ways to ameliorate their sufferings and not add to their pain.
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