New study reveals one in nine in Cornwall are missing meals
A poll has shown how the cost of living is hitting people across the Duchy
A new poll has revealed people in Cornwall are missing meals, cutting back on food, water and heating and missing payments for household bills, due to the rising cost of living.
Out of those who were surveyed, more than half (57%) said they were cutting back on hot water, heating or electricity with around 6% saying they've missed payment of a household bill.
Around one in nine people in Cornwall are also missing meals or going without food.
Across Cornwall, the worst area affected by meals are Camborne and Redruth with 13.9%.
Niall Cooper, from Church Action on Poverty, who has been involved with co-ordinating events across the UK and Cornwall to 'challenge poverty' told us: "The cost of living crisis means that many more people are now struggling to make ends meet.
"That's clear nationally but it's also very clear in Cornwall.
"Cornwall is one of the poorest counties in England".
The MRP poll of 10,000 people across the UK shows how the cost of living is hitting family budgets across the country.
TUC say more government action is needed to raise wages and cut bills.
Niall continued: "People in work are struggling with poverty. Even people who are in what they might've thought were reasonable jobs and reasonable incomes are also struggling.
"Everyone can play a part with challenging poverty, whether that's volunteering or donating or working with others. This is something that touches every community and it's something everyone has a responsibility to pay a part in".
The survey has also revealed that just under half of Cornwall residents are having to cut back on food spending, compared to the average across the region of 12%.
According to TUC analysis, pay packets in Cornwall are set to be worth more than £930 less per year than 2021 once inflation has been taken into consideration.
The TUC says the findings were a “stark reminder” of the cost living pressures facing households throughout the UK.
"Cornwall’s cost of living emergency".
South West TUC Regional Secretary Nigel Costley said: "No one should have to worry about putting food on the table or heating their homes. But households across the region are struggling to cover even the basics. This polling lays bare Cornwall’s cost of living emergency.
“Food and energy bills are soaring, but real wages are plummeting. Unless we get pay rising across the economy and ensure benefits rise in line with inflation - we risk heading towards Victorian levels of poverty. The Conservatives should be working with unions to help households get through this crisis...
"That’s the best way to boost spending in local economies and to deliver lasting growth".
The union body says the government must:
• Stick to plans to uprate universal credit, benefits and pensions in line with inflation, and bring forward this uprating to before April. This must be the first step on a route to higher levels of universal credit, benefits and pensions.
• Get pay rising across the economy by backing trade unions and allowing unions to negotiate pay rises across whole sectors.
• Give key workers in the public sector cost of living proofed pay rises
• Raise the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible.